Wales great Faletau still has drive for fourth World Cup

Wales boss Steve Tandy believes Taulupe Faletau is a World Cup contender despite missing out on the Nations Championship squad. Taulupe Faletau made his Wales debut against the Barbarians in 2011 Wales head coach Steve Tandy believes legendary number eight Taulupe Faletau is still fuelled by playing at a fourth World Cup. The 35-year-old was left out of Wales' squad for the Nations Championship, having only made his return from injury in Cardiff's Champions Cup defeat by Northampton on Sunday. Faletau showed his class during a 55-minute appearance against the English champions but will remain with Cardiff rather than hunting a first cap since facing Japan in the summer of 2025.

"It's great to see him back, and you see how quickly he picks up the game from not having a lot of rugby," said Tandy. "He is a legend of our game and a world-class player, so we would definitely not rule anyone out." Faletau has won 109 Wales caps but has not played under Tandy, who opted to select in-form Taine Basham to rival Aaron Wainwright in November's squad. The head coach also used Olly Cracknell and Taine Plumtree at number eight in his first year in charge. Tandy picked Faletau in his first squad, but the former Dragons back-rower then suffered a knee injury for Cardiff, before