Taulupe Faletau has faced another setback with a new injury, adding to his recent struggles. The Wales and Cardiff number eight has played only 31 times for Cardiff since joining from Bath in 2022, limited to seven appearances last season due to shoulder, calf and knee problems. "I can imagine he is quite frustrated because after the game he didn't even realise it, then the next day it was sore all of a sudden," said Van Zyl. It's a tough one for him to take, but hopefully he can turn it around.
Faletau's lack of game-time meant he was not included in Wales' squad for the Nations Championship, with in-form Cardiff team-mate Taine Basham getting a recall instead. Wales head coach Steve Tandy said they would not rule out an international return for Faletau, who has won 109 caps and played at three World Cups, but that he needed to show durability to go along with his undoubted quality.
The latest blow only adds to those fears about the legendary number eight, who signed a one-year contract extension with Cardiff last summer. Cardiff will not only be without Faletau against Ospreys on Saturday, 31 October but their Wales back-row forwards Alex Mann, James Botham and Basham.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing