Jenkins, 21, was named last week as the man to succeed the injured Ospreys duo, who were co-captains in France earlier in the season, and has vowed to carry on their good work as leaders.
“The truth is you don’t really know when you have respect as a captain. You try and lead with your actions,” said Jenkins, who was first invited to captain an Exeter Chiefs side in the English Premiership at the age of 19.
“There is no point telling other people what to do when you’re not doing it yourself. It’s similar to Jac and Dewi at the World Cup, I think they led perfectly by example on the pitch with the way they were playing.
“They were probably the best two on the park most games. If I can do that I’ll be over the moon.”
Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake
Jenkins will overtake Sam Warburton as Wales second youngest captain when he leads his country into the 2024 Six Nations campaign. Sam was 22 when he led Wales for the first of 49 times, while the youngest leader was Gareth Edwards in 1968 at the age of 20.
But while Jenkins was more than happy to accept the honour when Warren Gatland called him, he doubled checked he wasn’t being spoofed.
“When I got the call I was a bit shaken and when he asked me, I had to say yes. It was a massive opportunity for me and one to make my family proud,” said Jenkins.
“I was at the club in Exeter and the call came from a number I didn’t have. Gats obviously said who it was, so I was just going along with it. I wasn’t too sure it was actually him or one of the boys playing a prank. So, I spoke to him and I was pretty convinced it was him coming off the call.
“But after I put the phone down a few of the boys around me were asking me who it was, and I was a bit sceptical about it. I was shaking afterwards.
“One of the boys could have gone on my phone and changed the number. We have a few other Welsh boys at Exeter, like Joe Hawkins, so I compared the number with him.”
Jenkins has led Exeter in their Investec Champions Cup campaign this season and has become used to taking the leading role. Even so, he was delighted to receive so many messages of support from former Wales captains.
“The boys sent me messages straightaway – Jac, Dewi and Ken Owens. Sam Warburton told me to give him a call whenever I have a problem, which I really thank him for,” said Jenkins.
“These are legends of the game. I’m trying to be a sponge and learn everything I can to hopefully put me in the best position possible.
“I think a lot of people have written us off already, which is a dangerous thing to do with us. Obviously, with the young squad, they wouldn’t be in there if they weren’t talented enough and if Gats didn’t think they could do a job,” said Jenkins.
“We’re really looking forward to the Six Nations and to pushing for wins and performances. Hopefully, the Welsh public can get behind our performances.”
