Ospreys flanker Dan Lydiate makes his first start for Wales since November 2018, reward for his form, making his 65th appearance for Wales in an all British & Irish Lions back-row alongside Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau. The back row forward played for Cross Keys RFC, Newport RFC and Newport Gwent Dragons before joining Bath. The. Wales will have to plan for the upcoming Rugby World Cup without one of their most influential players after Taulupe Faletau suffered a fresh setback following his long run of injury problems. Under the old system, the fly-half had very little chance of adding to his 48 caps unless Taulupe Faletau, Jamie Roberts or George North were injured. Faletau finished the 1-1 drawn series without being subbed off for the whole Lions tour and played the most minutes of anyone on tour. Faletau made 11 appearances for Cross Keys and two for Newport RFC but there wasn’t any looking back after he made his senior Dragons debut during a 9-8 win in Edinburgh on 1 November 2009. “He came into the team as the most quiet respectful and polite guy you would ever meet and that’s not changed. Taulupe Faletau winces a little as he looks at a photograph of Wales’ players celebrating their 2012 Six Nations Grand Slam. TAULUPE FALETAU and Justin Tipuric’s magic got Wales and Wayne Pivac out of jail. It took him a few months to get the money together and to make sure it was the right thing to do. Taulupe Faletau could still play in the Guinness Six Nations after scans revealed his second arm fracture of the season does not require surgery. From a seven-year-old who only arrived here by a quirk of fate, Faletau was nearly lost to Twickenham foe England but has turned out to be a true world-class player for Wales and the Lions. Taulupe had a watching brief during the 2010 autumn campaign but two ankle injuries put him out of contention for the 2011 Six Nations. WRU has refused to sanction Dragons' request to agree Taulupe Faletau's Bath transfer, with Warren Gatland having written to … “All these years on I still get the same feeling running out for an international. [1] Taulupe attended Pontygof Primary School until 1999 and then Pontnewynydd Primary School until July 2002, then attended Trevethin Community School, then attended Filton College (now part of South Gloucestershire and Stroud College) as part of the college's successful rugby academy and received player of the year during his time at the college. Gareth Davies (58 Caps) 10. 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It had no bearing on the end result, but Taulupe Faletau's try against New Zealand can encourage a tactical shift for Wales. Faletau drives Wales forward as England’s indiscipline continues. Taulupe Faletau proved the creative spark as three tries in the final 22 minutes helped Wales hold off a spirited fight from Italy to secure a 38-18 victory in Llanelli and earn fifth place in the Aut And his dynamic performances in New Zealand, as Wales reached the semi-finals, had the rugby world purring as he became the find of the tounament. On 11 March 2018, in Wales' match against Italy, in the fifth round of the 2018 Six Nations Championship, Faletau was appointed as captain of the Welsh team for the first time in his career, becoming the 131st player to become captain of Wales' international rugby team. [5], It was confirmed on 9 December 2015 that, after months of speculation, Faletau would be joining English Premiership side Bath Rugby in time for the 2016–17 season.[6]. Warren Gatland says Taulupe Faletau will still be available for Wales. “The more I got to know him the more you see what a genuine guy he is off the field. But he puts his body on the line and is an absolute animal on the pitch.”. Have things truly been the same for him since he left the Dragons to play for Bath in 2016? The experienced back-row pair were the game’s outstanding performers as Italy were eventually put to … He was in the Wales U18 team in 2013 with future senior Welsh internationals Steff Evans, Dafydd Howells, Dillon Lewis, Rory Thornton, Ollie Griffiths, Ryan Elias, Adam Beard and Tomos Williams. He then appeared in all five matches of Wales' Grand Slam-winning 2012 Six Nations Championship campaign, excelling throughout the championship and making many pundits' team of the tournament. He was first called up to the Wales senior squad on 1 November 2010 following the withdrawal of Ryan Jones and Rob McCusker. Taulupe Faletau captained Wales to a decisive 38 - … Faletau leads Wales to victory. He has really impressed a lot of people. It was the ‘Rat’, as full-back Morgan was nicknamed for his ability to get through the narrowest of gaps, who had scored the decisive try as Wales famously sunk Ireland in 2005 to win a first Grand Slam for 27 years but he was on the receiving end as Faletau stepped him. Wales vs South Africa: Hadleigh Parkes to make debut on same day that he becomes eligible for national team. 2 Taulupe Faletau Wyn Jones Hamish Watson 28 Matt Fagerson 9 Alun Wyn Jones 16 Tomas Francis Scott Cummings 32 Matt Fagerson 27 Rory Sutherland 8 Wyn Jones 14 Jonny Gray 9 Tomas Francis 260 KICKING & EXITS Wales Kicks In Play 26 60% 7 Finn Russell 11 Gareth Davies 5 Ali Price 8 Dan Biggar Carrying 22m Exit % Kicks In Play Adam Beard WALES TEAM TO PLAY SCOTLAND (SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13 KO 16.45) 1. “The next thing he is carving up. Whisper it quietly but Taulupe Faletau only arrived in Wales as a seven-year-old because Ebbw Vale wanted another Tongan to keep star signing Siua ‘Josh’ Taumalolo company. Faletau continued to represent Wales in the November 2013 Autumn Series,[12] scoring his third test try against Argentina in a man of the match performance. Tangaki Taulupe Toby Faletau (born 12 November 1990) is a Tongan-born professional rugby union player who represents Wales internationally. [13], On 20 January 2014, Faletau was included in the 32-man Wales squad for the 2014 Six Nations Championship. Bath have been charged with breaching Premiership Rugby policy for allowing Taulupe Faletau to play for Wales against South Africa last Saturday. Contrary to what has often been said and written in the past, they are unrelated. The back row forward played for Cross Keys RFC, Newport RFC and Newport Gwent Dragons before joining Bath. Fortunately, then WRU talent-spotter Will Thomas, who is now with the Hong Kong Rugby Union, was on the case and Faletau was picked to appear for Dragons’ Under-20 team as an 18-year-old. Taulupe Faletau played in Wales' loss to Ireland last Saturday and in the win over Italy a week earlier. Faletau made his debut for the Newport Gwent Dragons senior team, on 1 November 2009, versus Edinburgh. He finished the tournament as the top tackler and ball carrier, the first time a single player has ever topped both tables. He joined New Panteg after his family moved to Pontnewynydd, between Pontypool and Cwmbran. It is a typical scene of triumph; squad members drenched in champagne, the trophy thrust into the air by their beaming captain Sam Warburton. He was first called up to the Wales senior squad on 1 November 2010 following the withdrawal of Ryan Jones and Rob McCusker. Faletau started the 2017/18 season for the club and, after the Autumn internationals with Wales, travelled to the South of France to take on Toulon in the Champions Cup on December 9. [4], Faletau played a significant role in Newport Gwent Dragons's run to the semi-finals of the 2014–15 European Rugby Challenge Cup, playing in seven of their eight games during the competition until they were eventually knocked out by Edinburgh. Taulupe Faletau needs more surgery and has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup. [14] He started all five games and scored a try in a 51–3 thrashing of Scotland on 15 March, as Wales finished the campaign in 3rd. Hallam Amos (22 Caps) 12. Cardiff, Wales. Only the late Merv ‘the swerve’ Davies has a better record than Faletau with winning tours of New Zealand (1971) and South Africa (1974) with the Lions, six European titles with Wales. “Kuli didn’t bring the family to live in Wales straightaway. “Some of his carries, his go-forward, getting us on the front-foot, his acceleration at the contact has been key to us as well.”. There’s nothing like it.”, MORE: Manu Tuilagi set to play for England in Six Nations showdown against Wales. Taulupe Faletau: Wales and Lions star happy to do talking on the pitch By Lauren Jenkins BBC Sport Wales in Queenstown Last updated on 4 July 2017 4 July 2017 . Taulupe Faletau, in dynamic action here against England, was your standout Wales performer in the Six Nations (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency) Taulupe Faletau has been back to his devastating best during the Six Nations 2021, and finished the match having made more carries (18) than any player on the pitch, for 122 metres with ball in hand. Faletau and his English cousins, Mako and Billy Vunipola, were selected for the British & Irish Lions for their 2017 tour to New Zealand. Final year dental student Owen Hughes has compared his appearance on The Voice alongside that of playing for Wales in the U20 World Rugby Championship – saying his TV singing debut was up there as ‘the scariest thing I’ve ever done’ but he refuses to be down … The ‘Ikale Tahi team to play Wales at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff at 14.30 on Saturday 17 November was announced this morning during a Skype Press Conference with Coach, Toutai Kefu, Scrum Half Sonatane Takulua and the Manager Lano Fonua. “He’s been outstanding. Birth … Two subsequent Six Nations titles and a starring role for the Lions in their third Test decider record rout of Australia wasn’t a surprise to ex-No.8 Lam. With gate income for the matches in South Africa way down, there will be a knock-on financial impact on the players, but they are still all set to get tens of thousands. John Gwilliam won two Five Nations Grand Slams, in 1950 and 1952. The blindside flanker was already at the Dragons and the pair have gone on to become mates and form a beautifully balanced and record-breaking back-row triumvirate with Wales. Faletau's try inspired a late comeback from the Lions, with both teams down to 14 players, and the Lions went on to make a historic win over the All Blacks that day, beating them 24-21. “Even though Kuli was a very good player and was Tonga’s most-capped forward, we really wanted a full-back,” explained Kingsley Jones, who is nowadays Taulupe Faletau’s forwards coach at Newport Gwent Dragons. Faletau was born in Tofoa, Tonga, to Tongan international Kuli Faletau, who represented Tonga at the 1999 Rugby World Cup. Faletau junior recalled: “When we came over it was the summer, but in Tonga we were trying to catch the shade. Wales forward Taulupe Faletau does not require surgery on his injured knee, increasing his chances of playing some part in the 2018 Six Nations. He went on to play 17 times for Wales U20 in 2014 and 2015, scoring eight tries. The Wales No 8 has been linked with a … TAULUPE Faletau will lead Wales for the first time as he returns to the starting line-up as captain for Sunday’s NatWest 6 Nations clash against Italy in Cardiff (KO 15:00) The 70-times capped No. “I remember watching him doing an academy session and asking who is that kid?” recalled the chop-tackler. MORE: England hooker Jamie George ruled out of Six Nations showdown with Wales. He made his Premiership debut for Worcester against Bath in September, 2016 and signed a first-team contract less than two months … Tomas Francis (52 Caps) 4. I didn’t really watch any rugby then, I was too busy playing with friends! Gregory Alldritt v Taulupe Faletau Alldritt is a terrific hard-working ball carrier who is integral to the French effort, giving them the fast go-forward ball that Dupont can work off. Dan Biggar (87 Caps) 11. Faletau scored his first international try, against South Africa and got another in the thumping of Namibia, and he also finished the tournament as the top tackler and ball-carrier. Wednesday 14 March 2018. Adam Beard (21 Caps) 5. Prior to his move across the border, he had suffered several setbacks from both the Gwent District organisation and the Newport Gwent Dragons Regional. “Faletau is a tremendous player. He’s still pretty quiet but he is such an intelligent rugby player,” said Gatland. You still get butterflies watching other teams and thinking that you will be playing them some time. “My lad Dorian (now Dragons outside-half) was at Filton and I tried to get Taulupe to join Sale’s academy but there was a regulation that prevented the signing of non-English players unless they lived in England,” he explained. PLAYER RATINGS: Wales secure Triple Crown as Taulupe Faletau puts in man-of-the-match display In August 2011, he was named in the Wales squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Taulupe Faletau Last updated December 09, 2020. Rugby World Cup squad members … “There’s still parts of my game I’ve got to improve so I’ve got to go back to the drawing board and work on those. “I’m just glad, for Wales’ sake, that all those years ago, we brought his dad Kuli over to keep Josh Taumalolo company. Naturally, Gatland and Wales captain Warburton are leading members of Faletau’s unofficial fan club. Mourie, one of the greatest back-row forwards in history, shrewdly predicted Faletau would become a world star, when he said: “The pick of the Wales team was the young Tongan. Taulupe Faletau could still play in the Guinness Six Nations after scans revealed his second arm fracture of the season does not require surgery. “The stats he continually posts for the Dragons are exceptional and he could play anywhere in the back-row in international rugby – he’s just a special player. Johnny Williams (2 Caps) … Another Tongan, Fe’ao Vunipola, the father of England forwards Billy and Mako Vunipola, had been recruited by Pontypool around the same time and the families were and remain close friends. Taulupe Faletau's proposed exit from Newport Gwent Dragons has been blocked by Wales head coach Warren Gatland. “They are both straight down the line; they ask a question and they expect a honest answer. 8 returns from injury to take the captain’s armband and will line-up in a new look back row for Wales with fellow British & Irish Lion Justin Tipuric wearing six with Scarlets flanker James Davies making his … My parents didn’t push me to play rugby, it just happened.”. Wales have suffered a major Six Nations blow after Bath number eight Taulupe Faletau broke his arm for the second time this season. Jones senior also doubled up as Tonga coach and the deals were done ahead of a 46-12 defeat to Wales at St Helen’s, Swansea, in November 1997. Taulupe Faletau (right) has played 70 times for Wales. “Welsh clubs recruited a number of Tongans and they used to go to Kuli’s house, because he was an elder and a lay preacher in their community, on a Sunday to sing and for prayers.”. The back row forward played for Cross Keys RFC, Newport RFC and Newport Gwent Dragons before joining Bath. [9], Faletau also played all five games in Wales' 2013 Six Nations Championship victory, including the 30–3 win over England in the final match.[10]. Taulupe Faletau won his 69th cap for Wales in Saturday's loss to New Zealand Autumn internationals: Wales v South Africa Venue: Principality Stadium Date: Saturday, 2 December Kick-off: 14:30 GMT Let’s assume most people know the answer to that one. BATH RUGBY HAVE been charged with allegedly breaching Premiership Rugby policies after releasing Taulupe Faletau to play for Wales against South Africa last weekend. Liam Williams (67 Caps) 12. We all knew he was brilliant then,” he said. The big three, all playing … He’s great to be around.”. … However, Faletau, who claims he doesn’t contribute to team meetings because “he’s got nothing to say”, typically played down his worth. 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