**Wales Rugby Latest: Jenkins Faces Surgery Setback as National Squad Members Arrive Early for Training**
Welsh rugby is facing new challenges ahead of their summer fixtures, as Exeter Chiefs’ lock Dafydd Jenkins prepares for another spell on the sidelines, while several members of the national squad have chosen to report early for preseason training. The developments come as Wales seek to bounce back from a disappointing stretch of results, with hopes high for better fortunes during the summer tour in Japan.
Jenkins, a 22-year-old rising star who has already made a substantial impact for both Exeter and the national team, is due to undergo surgery next week to address a persistent back problem. The decision to proceed with the procedure was reached following consultations involving Jenkins, the Welsh Rugby Union, and his club. The move will render him unavailable for the upcoming summer tour, but it is viewed as an important step to allow full recovery and readiness for the start of the next domestic season.
Having previously undergone operations on both his knee and shoulder—setbacks that delayed his return to the English Premiership—Jenkins managed 17 appearances during the campaign after rejoining his club duties in December. Nevertheless, the new intervention highlights the physical toll that elite rugby can exact even on its younger stars.
Rob Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby, confirmed Jenkins’ situation, explaining that although the operation was not immediately obligatory, prioritising the procedure now was deemed sensible for the player’s long-term prospects. “He’s having surgery on a back issue,” said Baxter. “He’ll be out for a period, but it’s an operation that, on balance, was best to address sooner rather than later. Together with the WRU, we collectively felt this was the right choice for Daf and his career.”
Despite Jenkins’ absence, preparations for the national squad’s summer training camp are well underway. Officially commencing next week, the Wales camp has already seen a dedicated group of players take advantage of an optional conditioning session at the Vale Resort. Among the notable names present were Taulupe Faletau, Elliot Dee, Rhodri Williams, Alex Mann, and Cam Winnett. Their participation demonstrates a commitment to reversing the side’s recent run of form—currently languishing under the weight of 17 successive Test defeats.
Dragons tighthead Chris Coleman, called up to the senior squad for the first time following impressive club performances, was also in attendance. The camp is being led by interim head coach Matt Sherratt, with Wales scheduled for back-to-back encounters against Japan in July. These fixtures are anticipated to offer a crucial opportunity for the coaching staff to assess a broader pool of talent and rebuild confidence within the squad.
Elsewhere in the world of rugby, disciplinary action has followed last weekend’s Champions Cup final in Cardiff. Bordeaux prop Jefferson Poirot has received a two-week suspension after an altercation with Northampton Saints’ Henry Pollock shortly after the final whistle. Poirot admitted to an act of foul play, with the independent disciplinary panel halving the initial four-week sanction in recognition of his guilty plea and clean disciplinary history. This decision means Poirot will miss Bordeaux’s remaining Top 14 regular season matches against Toulon and Vannes, although he will be eligible for the play-offs.
In a story of resilience from the women’s game, Scotland international Emma Wassell makes a welcome return to the national squad after undergoing successful treatment for a benign tumour. The experienced lock, capped 67 times, has been included in an expanded 38-player training group as preparations begin for the Rugby World Cup in England this August. Head coach Bryan Easson has also handed opportunities to several uncapped youngsters, blending emerging talent with proven performers such as Wassell, Coreen Grant, Hollie Cunningham, and Meg Varley, who returns after injury.
Reflecting on selections, Easson praised the energy and progress of new squad members while highlighting the value brought by returning players. Scotland’s campaign opens with a fixture against Wales at Salford Community Stadium on 23 August, followed by matches against Fiji and Canada in the pool stages.
With ongoing injury updates, disciplinary rulings, and heartening comebacks, the rugby community in Wales and beyond will be watching closely as the summer season unfolds. For Wales, the early momentum at camp and a focus on player welfare may yet provide the platform for a much-needed change in fortunes as the Test calendar resumes.