Wales centre Ben Thomas is set to miss the start of the Nations Championship, while Cardiff team-mate Taulupe Faletau is expected to feature before the tournament returns in November. Wales head coach Steve Tandy names his autumn squad next week, with the opening match against Japan on 7 November at the Principality Stadium, followed by home matches against New Zealand and Australia.
Thomas, who started at inside centre for Wales' 43-0 defeat to South Africa in Durban back in July, is sidelined with a calf injury. "He'll be able to definitely form part of the Nations Championship, but might not recover for the first or second game," said Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl. Thomas, 27, has played 19 internationals for Wales and shared the number 12 role with Joe Hawkins in 2026 for Tandy's team. Eddie James has been regularly selected at outside centre for Wales but is an option at inside centre.
Whether Faletau proves his fitness remains to be seen after another false start before Cardiff's 29-5 United Rugby Championship (URC) defeat against Leinster in Dublin last Saturday. Faletau was named in the starting line-up on Thursday, but Cardiff made the call not to field the 35-year-old just before kick-off, the first time since a shoulder injury suffered at Sharks in March. Van Zyl said there were no major concerns about long-term injuries, and when asked whether Faletau will play in the next couple of weeks, he replied: "I believe so, 100%. That's definitely the plan." Whether that is enough for Tandy to consider the three-time British and Irish Lions tourist remains to be seen.
In-form Taine Basham was a last-minute replacement for Faletau and continued his strong start to the season as his side's most dynamic carrier. Van Zyl praised his character, and said Wales will look closely at Basham, 26, who won the last of his 17 Wales caps against England in the 2024 Six Nations. He is the form number eight in Welsh domestic rugby and faces a battle for selection in the competitive back-row area.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing