Hot on the heels of Josh Adams return for Cardiff Rugby against the Dragons two weeks ago, Exeter Chiefs lock Jenkins and Cardiff’s legendary No 8 Faletau are named in the matchday squads for their respective clubs.
Faletau starts at the Arms Park for Cardiff against the Toyota Cheetahs in the EPCR Challenge Cup, while Chiefs skipper Jenkins is on the bench for the Investec Champions Cup game against Toulouse.
Gatland has been unable to pick Faletau since he broke his arm in the World Cup clash with Georgia at last year’s World Cup. When he returned to action for Cardiff, he then broke his shoulder in his first game back against Ulster in Belfast in April.
“It’s brilliant to be able to bring the likes of Liam Belcher and Toby Faletau back after injuries,” admitted Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt.
Taulupe Faletau will start for Cardiff against the Cheetahs
The challenge for Faletau now is to build up his match fitness, stay injury free and compete for a return to the Wales squad for the Guinness Six Nations. The 34-year-old has 104 caps and three British & Irish Lions tours to his name.
Jenkins missed the start of the season and the Autumn Nations Series after having surgery on his knee, but has impressed Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter with his mindset in his rehab.
“Dafydd just gets on with things. I often think that is one of the most underrated qualities that a sports player can have,” said Baxter.
“Something good or something bad can happen but it doesn’t stop you or divert you from what you need to do next. If anything, it kind of keeps pushing you and pushing you to the next thing.
“He has got a genuine hard edge around him and expects high standards from himself and everyone else. He leads that in training by the way he acts and the way he moves around the training field.
“He goes on the training field every day expecting to be the best trainer, and that creates a lot of good qualities around the squad. I think those are the kind of qualities I like to see, and he is a very good rugby player.
“If you combine good rugby players with people who just get on with things and don’t get distracted, if you can create a group like that, then you have a very strong team.”
