Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins avoids further action after high tackle

Wales head coach Warren Gatland will have breathed a sigh of relief today after finding out that his newly appointed captain Dafydd Jenkins will face no further action following his yellow card against Bayonne in the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday.

The Exeter Chiefs lock was yellow carded by referee Nika Amashukeli in the final quarter of a 40-17 loss for a high tackle on Bayonne scrum-half Kleo Labarbe. It was a decision that was mitigated by the 21-year-old’s attempt to lower his tackle height, which is presumably why he has not been cited in the aftermath of the match.

That will be a boost to Gatland, who will have his captain available for the start of the Guinness Six Nations, which begins for Wales of February 3 with a clash against Scotland at the Principality Stadium.

Richard Cockerill on Georgia’s small playing pool

Richard Cockerill on Georgia’s small playing pool

Jenkins’ Exeter teammate Joe Hawkins has been cited, however, following his red card in the closing stages at the Stade Jean-Dauger. The Wales international has been cited alongside Bristol Bears lock Josh Caulfield and Northampton Saints hooker Curtis Langdon, who were both red carded in their respective Champions Cup contests.

In the Challenge Cup, five players will face hearings off the back of the latest round of European rugby- Edinburgh’s Grant Gilchrist, the Cheetahs duo of Munier Hartzenberg and Dan Kasende, Oyonnax’s Irakli Mirtskhulava add the Lions’ PJ Botha.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

21

28

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

Gatland explained his captaincy decision last week, describing Jenkins as “one for the future” after announcing his squad. He said: “There’s a lot of competition in the second row but I definitely see Dayfdd as one for the future. By the time the next World Cup comes around he’s going to be a definite starter and he’s putting a lot of pressure on at the moment.

“We’re trying to develop a lot of the youngsters over the next three or four years. If you look at the average age of the squad at the moment, it’s about 25.