New Wales Rugby Captain Dafydd Jenkins Eyes Victory Against England

Dafydd Jenkins, the newly appointed captain for Wales, may still be relatively new to international rugby, but he understands the significance of this weekend’s Six Nations clash against England. Last weekend, Jenkins, aged 21, led Wales in a closely contested match against Scotland, which unfortunately ended in a narrow 27-26 defeat.

As he prepares for his first trip to Twickenham in his new role, Jenkins acknowledges the unique atmosphere of an England-Wales encounter, recognizing its rich history and the importance of securing a victory, especially given Wales’ current standing in the tournament.

Reflecting on their previous match, where Wales faced a significant halftime deficit but rallied in the second half, Jenkins emphasized the emotional toll of falling short and the determination to avoid such a scenario again. He believes the team showed resilience and growth in the latter part of the game.

Looking ahead to the England match, Jenkins anticipates facing familiar adversaries, including his Exeter teammates Henry Slade and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, the latter having chosen to represent England. Despite the friendly rivalry, Jenkins respects Feyi-Waboso’s decision but is eager to compete against him.

Drawing on his experience playing alongside and against English players, Jenkins hopes to leverage his insights to his team’s advantage, particularly in areas like the line-out, which struggled initially against Scotland but showed improvement in the latter stages of the game.

Acknowledging the need to address shortcomings and adhere to their game plan more effectively, Jenkins emphasizes the collective responsibility of the team and their determination to rectify mistakes. He sees the line-out, when executed correctly, as a strength rather than a weakness, and is confident in their ability to perform better against England.