Jenkins suffers Six Nations defeat

By Mark Stevens
4/2/23

Dafydd Jenkins’ first-ever Guinness Six Nations ended in disappointment as Ireland underlined their world's number one side tag by humbling Wales 34-10 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Ireland's storming start saw tries from Caelan Doris, James Ryan and James Lowe - and 12 points from Johnny Sexton - establish a 27-3 half-time lead.

Wales improved in the second half and responded with a Liam Williams try. But it was Ireland who completed the scoring with a bonus-point try for flanker Josh van der Flier.

Exeter Chiefs lock Jenkins was one of a number of second half replacements used by returning Welsh coach Warren Gatland, who expressed his disappointment at his side’s first half showing.

"At the end of the game I said in my head that I actually wasn't that disappointed with our performance," said Gatland. "That is because the disappointing things we can fix."

The first 40 minutes represented yet another slow start for Wales in a tournament campaign.

"That was brought on ourselves by the fact we conceded penalties which gave them the momentum to get into our 22," added Gatland. "We didn't have a good enough exit to start the game and we were 14 points down and under the pump. The penalty count in that first period was seven to one. That gave them the momentum to get the start they wanted and put us under quite a bit of pressure."

Jenkins came on for former skipper Alun Wyn Jones, who will miss next Saturday’s trip to face Scotland at Murrayfield next Saturday.

The world-record cap holder failed a head injury assessment during the second half. Jenkins will now battle for a starting spot alongside club-mate Christ Tshiunza and Rhys Davies.