Jenkins to face the All Blacks at Principality

Published on: 12/11/2026

Exeter Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins will feature for Wales against the All Blacks at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday afternoon.

Jenkins featured in the win against Japan last weekend but will go into this round five Nations Championship match-up with a different second row partner as Adam Beard replaces Ben Carter in the starting XV.

Following a minor injury to Leicester Tigers back-rower Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham returns to the Welsh squad for his first appearance since the 2024 Guinness Six Nation

Head coach Steve Tandy said: “We’re excited for the opportunity we have against New Zealand. It was good to get the win last Saturday, but some elements of our execution weren’t where we wanted. We have to go up another level this weekend and be more ruthless. We have one of the best teams in the world coming. We want to be better and put in an 80-minute performance.”

Last weekend’s man of the match Louis Rees-Zammit remains in place on the right wing while Gallagher PREM man Gabriel Hamer-Webb replaces Josh Adams on the left wing.

New Zealand come into the game after a solid 21-43 win over Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield last Saturday.

Wales v All Blacks will be broadcast live on ITV or follow the Welsh match centre here.

Wales:

15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 20 caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears – 44 caps)
13. Eddie James (Scarlets – 12 caps)
12. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 14 caps)
11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester Tigers – 1 cap)
10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 23 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Saracens – 76 caps)

1. Nicky Smith (Sale Sharks – 67 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Gloucester Rugby – 35 caps) Captain
3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 17 caps)
4. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 32 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Montpellier – 68 caps)
6. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 25 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Gloucester Rugby – 28 caps)
8. Taine Basham (Cardiff Rugby – 17 caps)

Replacements:
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 52 caps)
17. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 44 caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Dragons – 60 caps)
19. Ben Carter (Dragons – 22 caps)
20. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 15 caps)
21. Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys – 3 caps)
22. Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 14 caps)
23. Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby – 1 cap)