Faletau Left Out of Wales Squad for Nations Championship
Tandy named three uncapped players and said Faletau still can earn a World Cup place if he proves his durability.
- On Tuesday, Wales head coach Steve Tandy announced a 39-man squad for the Nations Championship, featuring 14 English-based players and one from France.
- Veteran back-row forward Taulupe Faletau was omitted despite his return for Cardiff on Sunday, as Tandy prioritized physical durability for the tournament campaign.
- Tandy refreshed the roster by including uncapped players Aneurin Owen, Che Hope, and Rhys Barratt, while established stars Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell were left out despite their form for Leicester.
- Wales will now prepare to face Japan at Principality Stadium on November 7, followed by home matches against New Zealand and Australia in the Nations Championship.
- Despite the current omission, Faletau still targets the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and Tandy confirmed he has not ruled out the 109-cap veteran, calling him a "legend of our game.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Faletau still in Tandy's plans despite being left out of Wales squad
Faletau, Wales's fifth most-capped player with 109 Test appearances, turns 36 in November and is hoping to play at his fourth World Cup in Australia in 2027. He starred in his first appearance since March during Cardiff's Champions Cup defeat to Northampton at the weekend. But Faletau has failed to force his way into a 39-man Wales squad for matches at home to Japan, New Zealand and Australia in the decisive northern hemisphere leg of the inaugu…
Faletau left out of Wales squad for Nations Championship
The 35-year-old Faletau, who is targeting a fourth Rugby World Cup in Australia next year, played for Cardiff in the Champions Cup on Sunday -- his first game since March. Fellow back-row forwards Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell were also omitted from head coach Tandy's 39-man group despite their impressive form for Leicester in the English Prem. But the uncapped trio of Aneurin Owen, Che Hope and Rhys Barratt have been included. Scrum-half Hop…
Steve Tandy, head coach of Wales, has announced his squad of 39 players for next month's Nations Championship. After taking on Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in July, Wales will welcome Japan, New Zealand and Australia to Cardiff next month.
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