Faletau targets late October return after injury lay-off

Taulupe Faletau last played for Cardiff against Ulster in April

Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau hopes to return before the autumn internationals following a six-month injury lay-off with a broken shoulder.

Faletau is targeting a Cardiff return before the end of October with Matt Sherratt's side hosting Ulster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Saturday, 26 October.

Wales face Fiji in their autumn opener on Sunday, 10 November, two days before Faletau's 34th birthday.

Warren Gatland's side play Australia seven days later before tackling world champions South Africa on Saturday, 23 November.

With Aaron Wainwright doubtful for the three-match series because of a hamstring injury, Wales would love to have Faletau fit.

Most painful injury

"I am still trying to get back from my shoulder injury, trying to get my full range of movement back," said Faletau.

"We have finally put a date on it and pencilled in the end of October, hopefully. It depends on the physios, maybe it will be earlier if they're happy.

"It will then be a case of slowly dripping back into contact and seeing how the shoulder goes."

Faletau suffered this latest injury blow on his Cardiff comeback against Ulster in April, and admitted it was the most painful blow of his career.

"The injury was nuts," said Faletau.

"One of the boys caught it when I was trying to seal the ruck, somebody cleared me out and that was that.

"I've watched games since and it's nuts how it happens.

"I heard a movement, which I thought maybe was a dislocation - like it had popped out and in again.

"The assessment with the doctors in Ulster was that they seemed to think it was fine, structurally, but it was so painful, I was thinking, 'it's not fine!'

"Looking back it was frustrating, but because I knew it was a bad one and the amount of time I would be out for, you manage what you need to do and how you plan that out."

Faletau's injury was picked up in his first game for six months after he suffered a broken arm in Wales' World Cup victory against Georgia in October 2023.

Faletau also missed the 2024 Six Nations with a calf injury.

He has suffered a catalogue on injuries in the last six years of his career after being almost injury free for the first half of his career.

They include arm, knee, collarbone, calf and shoulder problems that have curtailed his involvement for clubs Bath and Cardiff, as well as Wales.

"I thought maybe that coming back (to Wales) would help me out," said Faletau.

"The first year was alright, but since then there have been a lot of injuries.

"When I look back now, the first 70 caps were easy enough and then the whole thing changed. I can't put my finger on what's different.

"Maybe the collisions are bigger now, everyone tells me that, but when I look back at those first games, they look pretty physical to me.

"When I had my first few injuries, I just got on with it, and then, when they happened one after another, I found myself reflecting on it a bit more.

"I think I kind of lost my way a little bit after all those setbacks. They derailed me for a while, but I'm managing things better now."

Unfinished business

Taulupe Faletau has played 15 games for Cardiff

Faletau has played 104 internationals for Wales and five Tests for the British and Irish Lions since making his international debut in 2011.

He still has the hunger to play for Wales, although he says he has had no long-term conversations with Gatland over trying to make the 2027 World Cup.

"I still think I've got something to prove," said Faletau.

"I hope and feel like I can, I would like to think I have more to give.

"As long at the body holds up I would like to play for a while longer.

"I guess it's unfinished business. I still feel I can play. I still enjoy and want to keep going, otherwise I wouldn't bother.

"In the last couple of weeks, I've been able to train with the boys and it's just nice to have a ball in your hands."

Faletau has also not given up hope of a fourth British and Irish Lions tour to Australia next summer.

"Yes, why not? The main thing is trying to get back on the pitch," said Faletau.

"That's where you can make a difference. If you are not on there, you've got no hope.

"The main aim is to get back out on the pitch with Cardiff, stay fit and give the season a good go."

Faletau is preparing for his third season with Cardiff since his move from Bath. He played 14 matches in his first campaign, but only managed one appearance in 2023-24.

"I haven't had much to do with the guys with last year (injury) but being around them and trying to build on last season is exciting," added Faletau.

"In the meetings and when you go out to training, it is an exciting place to be at the moment."