Welsh lock Dafydd Jenkins ruled out of Nations Championship after shoulder surgery

Lock Dafydd Jenkins, 22, will miss Wales's inaugural Nations Championship summer series after undergoing shoulder surgery. The injury occurred during the Gallagher Premiership final on 20 June, when Exeter Chiefs lost to Northampton Saints at Twickenham. Jenkins scored a try in the match and was later substituted for treatment.

Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter confirmed the operation is precautionary and that Jenkins is expected to return for the start of the next Premiership season. Wales coach Steve Tandy omitted him from the 33‑man squad for the upcoming tests against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa, adding uncapped players Kane James and Ben Warren to the roster. The decision follows Jenkins’s previous injury history, including earlier knee and shoulder surgeries.

Wales will begin the competition at Cardiff City Stadium against Fiji, with the squad aiming to build toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup.