Wales centre Thomas to miss Nations Championship restart

Wales centre Ben Thomas is set to miss the Nations Championship restart, but Taulupe Faletau is expected to return before November. Wales centre Ben Thomas is set to miss the Nations Championship's restart, but 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 Saturday, 7 November at the Principality Stadium followed by further 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. "I think 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. Fight for Wales spots heats up as under-threat regions win 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 their starting