Current 3rd year Sports Science student Dafydd Jenkins and recent graduate Chris Tshiunza have both impressed Wales head coach Warren Gatland since both making their debuts. They impressed enough to be called up to a maiden World Cup.

Under a lot of pressure coming into RWC23, some expected Wales to fail to make it out of the group. However, excellent performances against Fiji and Australia made sure they advanced without losing a game.

Jenkins played across all 4 games, including starts against both Georgia and Portugal and appeared off the bench in the other two games. At still just 20 years of age, our former captain still has a bright future ahead of him.

Tshiunza on the other hand only received one start in the group stage, as linked up in the second row with Jenkins, reigniting a partnership we last saw in green and white back in October 2021 against Cardiff. His only game time outside of the full 80 versus Portugal was an appearance off the bench against Georgia.

Also playing in this pool was another former Exeter second row, in the form of Lasha Jaini. Coming off the bench in Georgia’s opener against Australia, before getting a start against Fiji. Unfortunately, an early injury forced him off after 17 minutes, prematurely ending his tournament.

He last played in green and white back in December 2019, before going on to sign for Wasps before settling in the Pro D2 with Nevers.

The other former Exeter University man at the World Cup is backrow Sam Skinner. The former 1st XV captain represented Scotland twice in his debut World Cup. The first game off the bench against Tonga, before being a part of the side that hammered Romania, playing the full 80 minutes.

Unfortunately for both Skinner and Jaini, neither made it through the pool stages, getting knocked out in the first round. However, Wales topped their group unbeaten, meaning a quarter-final date was set up against Argentina.

In what was their nation’s biggest fixture since the semi-final four years ago in Japan, both Jenkins and Tshiunza were named on the bench and were prepared to put in a huge performance. In such a tight matchup, between 2 very evenly matched teams, it was a real advertisement of rugby at the highest level.

With 10 minutes to go Wales had the advantage by just 2 points, with a nervy finish imminent. However, two quick scores for the South Americans took it away from Jenkins & co., leaving them shell-shocked and disappointed.

All at Exeter University are incredibly proud of all 4 of our current and former students who have represented their nation at the World Cup.

To have so many players playing at the highest stage is a true testament to this club and the ever-growing quality of university rugby.