Wales youngster Dafydd Jenkins is in the running for one of English rugby’s most prestigious monthly awards.
The highly-rated lock is one of six nominations for the Rugby Players Association December U23 MVP [most valued player] of the month.
Jenkins featured in three games for Exeter Chiefs throughout December, making 28 tackles, winning 10 lineouts and stealing two, with the 20-year-old also coming up with 15 carries.
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Also in contention are Leicester Tigers fly-half Charlie Atkinson, London Irish centre Will Joseph, Newcastle Falcons flanker Guy Pepper and props Fin Baxter (Harlequins) and Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks).
The winner will be named via a poll of supporters, with the result set to be announced next week (you can read about what Jenkins' university coach thinks of him here).
Whatever the outcome, Jenkins’ efforts this term would not have gone unnoticed by Wales head coach Warren Gatland ahead of his squad announcement in mid January for the Six Nations.
The 6ft 7in, 18st 5lb player confirmed he was made of the right stuff with his display for Exeter against the Bulls in the Heineken Champions Cup, on one occasion chasing back when the cause looked lost to deny the South Africans a try. The Devon club were leading by 30 points at the time and there were just minutes to play, but Jenkins didn’t want to allow them even a consolation and went the extra mile to slam the door shut.
The Porthcawl Comprehensive School product has also captained the Chiefs this term and made his Test bow for Wales in November when he appeared off the bench for the final 23 minutes against Georgia.
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