Wales hope Taulupe Faletau can make injury comeback against Italy
Wales hope Taulupe Faletau can make injury comeback against Italy
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Wales are hoping number eight Taulupe Faletau will be fit for the Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome. Faletau had been widely expected to make his return after almost 16 months out of Test rugby in Friday’s opening Six Nations appointment with France.
But Wales head coach Warren Gatland says the 104-cap forward feels he is “not quite ready” for selection and made that call himself this week. “He made the call on Tuesday to say he is not quite ready for selection,” Gatland said. “He is still part of the squad and he will still come with us. We are hoping he will be right for Italy (on February 8).”.
Faletau has not played at Test level since Wales’ last win – a 2023 World Cup pool victory over Georgia – after breaking his arm in that game, then suffering a fractured shoulder when he returned for Cardiff six months later. Gatland has selected a starting back row in Paris of Aaron Wainwright at number eight alongside James Botham and captain Jac Morgan.
Asked if 34-year-old British and Irish Lion Faletau will be available for the tournament remainder, Gatland added: “That’s the plan. “He made the call and said, ‘I’ve got to put the team first’. “His knee is a bit sore at the moment. He didn’t feel he would be 100 per cent for Friday, so he wanted some more time for Italy.”.
