{"id":287485,"date":"2023-09-13T16:34:21","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T16:34:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=287485"},"modified":"2023-09-13T16:34:21","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T16:34:21","slug":"dafydd-jenkins-continues-to-make-strides-as-he-prepares-for-world-cup-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/rugby-union\/dafydd-jenkins-continues-to-make-strides-as-he-prepares-for-world-cup-start\/","title":{"rendered":"Dafydd Jenkins continues to make strides as he prepares for World Cup start"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Exeter forward Dafydd Jenkins will achieve another milestone moment when he makes his first Rugby World Cup start in Saturday\u2019s clash against Portugal.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old lock has made rapid strides during an international career that only began last season with a Test debut against autumn opponents Georgia.<\/p>\n
Having already captained the Chiefs in a Gallagher Premiership game, Jenkins quickly became an important part of Wales squads under head coach Warren Gatland.<\/p>\n
And he was in the thick of it during his 22 minutes off the bench in Wales\u2019 gripping 32-26 victory over opening Pool C opponents Fiji last weekend.<\/p>\n
It proved a huge defensive rearguard from Gatland\u2019s team as Fiji pushed for an unlikely win from 18 points adrift.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt is a privilege to be with the group,\u201d Jenkins said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to try and leave the 20-year-old younger version of myself behind and push on forward, be a more experienced player at this level and competing hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jenkins\u2019 father Hywel, a back-row forward for Swansea and Neath, went close to full international honours, representing Wales A and then Wales in an uncapped game against the United States.<\/p>\n
And Jenkins\u2019 rugby apprenticeship continued at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, a renowned academy for the sport with an impressive list of past students that also includes Louis Rees-Zammit, Ellis Genge and Jonny May.<\/p>\n
Exeter boss Rob Baxter contacted Jenkins during his time at Hartpury, and a move to Sandy Park followed in 2021, where he quickly broke into Chiefs\u2019 Champions Cup and Premiership teams.<\/p>\n
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At 6ft 7in and around 18 stone, he has made his presence felt, but he is also performing an important off-field role during his first World Cup.<\/p>\n
As Wales\u2019 youngest squad member, he is entrusted with carrying a giant carved lovespoon \u2013 a traditional Welsh symbol of love and affection \u2013 at major events during the tournament.<\/p>\n
Prop Rhys Carre performed those duties four years ago in Japan, and former Dragons centre Tyler Morgan at the 2015 World Cup in England.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t lost it yet which is good,\u201d Jenkins added. \u201cA few boys are definitely eyeing it up, so I have to keep it away from them.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt was really special (in Bordeaux for the Fiji game). The crowd was amazing, a different experience to what I have had before.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw videos before the game from Bordeaux of Welsh fans singing in the town. It was more the atmosphere that was a bit different.\u201d<\/p>\n