Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has confirmed international stars Dafydd Jenkins and Henry Slade are both in line to return to his squad for their pivotal Investec Champions Cup clash with Toulouse.
Jenkins, who has 19 caps to his name for Wales, has missed the entirety of the 2024/25 season after double knee/shoulder surgery after Wales’ tour to Australia in the summer.
Slade also missed the clash with the Sharks due to enforced rest after the Autumn Nations Series but has played twice this season for the Chiefs after his return from shoulder surgery.
Key internationals in line for Chiefs return
Jenkins has been a crucial cog in the Exeter Chiefs pack since his debut in 2021, making 46 appearances in all competitions and was quickly promoted to captain last year.
“Hopefully, if we don’t pick up any injuries, we’ll have a pretty fit squad,” said Baxter. “Dafydd Jenkins is now in full training and available for selection.”
“It’s huge for us (to have him back),” he continued. “I know it’s an odd thing to say but he just gets on with things, and I often think that’s one of the most underestimated qualities that a sports player can have.”
“That and he’s got a genuine hard edge around him. He expects high standards from himself and from everybody else, the leads that in training.”
Another key returnee is England ace Slade, who has started two of Exeter’s past three fixtures following his return from injury – including at fly-half against Bath – and will likely be in the starting XV this weekend too.
Elsewhere, Baxter has confirmed versatile back Olly Woodburn – who has played both centre and wing this season for the Chiefs – is back in full training after a short spell on the sidelines.
New recruit Franco Molina to miss Toulouse clash
The return of Jenkins is also very timely, with fellow Test lock Franco Molina unavailable through his own enforced rest period.
Franco Molina isn’t (available), this is the third weekend coming out of the internationals. The guys we have had to give a break to, which were Christ (Tshiunza), Henry (Slade) and now Franco, they will have all picked their weeks off within this three-week period, which we have to do now per the World Rugby Regulations.
Molina has excelled since his switch to the Chiefs earlier this season, making three appearances.
READ NEXT: Springboks fly-half Manie Libbok posts update after being hospitalised with a concussion
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/exeter-chiefs-boosted-by-return-of-key-internationals-ahead-of-toulouse-clash
