Wales great Faletau still has drive for fourth World Cup
Steve Tandy, the head coach of Wales, says that veteran number eight Taulupe Faletau remains eager to add a fourth World Cup to his résumé. The 35‑year‑old was omitted from the squad for the Nations Championship after only returning from injury in Cardiff’s Champions Cup loss to Northampton on Sunday. Faletau managed a 55‑minute spell against the English champions but has chosen to stay with Cardiff rather than chase a first cap since his appearance against 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,” Tandy said. “He is a legend of our game and a world‑class player, so we would definitely not rule anyone out.”
Faletau, who has earned 109 caps for Wales, has not yet played under Tandy. The coach opted for in‑form Taine Basham and Aaron Wainwright in the November squad and also gave opportunities to Olly Cracknell and Taine Plumtree at number eight during his first season. Tandy initially named Faletau in his first squad, but a knee injury for Cardiff and a later calf problem prevented a Six Nations call‑up.
“I haven’t spoken to Toby since Cardiff’s game, but I’ve had chats with him over the period that I have been in charge, because he was going to be in the first two campaigns,” Tandy explained. “I’ve spoken to Toby about being fit and available; then we can cross that bridge when he has put some consistent rugby together.”
Faletau featured in the 2011, 2015 and 2023 World Cups, missing the 2019 tournament after breaking his collarbone in the build‑up. The former Dragons back‑rower, who also played Tests on three Lions tours, is expected to aim for a place in next year’s competition in Australia.
“Toby is competitive. He loves playing for Cardiff and loves playing for Wales, so I can see the drive in him,” Tandy added. “If he’s out on the field, then he’s not playing just to play for Cardiff; I think Toby has ambition to play for Wales.”
The number eight’s father, Kuli Faletau, represented Tonga at the 1999 World Cup, giving Taulupe a strong rugby pedigree. However, durability remains a question. Since moving from Bath to Cardiff in 2022, Faletau has made only 31 appearances for the club.
“With the older athlete, you’re not going to ask them to play 80 minutes every week,” Tandy said. “You need to have enough evidence that they are going to be robust enough for a World Cup campaign, when you only take a squad of 33. You have to be robust to play back‑to‑back games, which I’m hopeful Toby can do. You have to manage players. Even the boys that are at their prime physically probably can’t back up 80 minutes every week either.”
Faletau will look to prove his readiness in the November Tests at Cardiff, which include matches against Japan, New Zealand, Australia and another opponent during the Nations Championship finals weekend. Cardiff will host the Sharks at the Arms Park on Friday in the United Rugby Championship before concluding the first block of the season against the Ospreys.