Dafydd Jenkins said on Wednesday he was left in a state of shock after being told by Warren Gatland he would become the youngest Wales captain in more than 50 years.
The 21-year-old Exeter lock is set to lead his country in their Six Nations opener at home to Scotland on February 3.
Not since scrum-half great Gareth Edwards led Wales for the first time – also against Scotland in Cardiff – at the age of 20 during the 1968 Five Nations have the national side had such a youthful skipper.
Jenkins became Exeter captain at the age of 19, helping the English side into contention for the Premiership title and into the Champions Cup knockout stage this season.
"It's special for me and my family, it's a huge honour"
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) January 22, 2024
🏴 Dafydd Jenkins, the youngest Welsh captain since Gareth Edwards in 1968#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/ZtiiYnvgsX
"I was in Exeter, at the club and I had a call from a number I didn't have, and Gats obviously said who it was," Jenkins said of receiving the news.
"So you're just going along with it, really. I was not 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.
"After I put the phone down a few of the boys around me were asking me who it was. I was shaking afterwards. It was class."
Jenkins has just 12 caps to his name as he prepares to lead a Wales side shorn of several senior players since their World Cup quarterfinal loss to Argentina last October.
"I think a lot of people have written us off already, which is a dangerous thing to do with us," he said.