Faletau and Halfpenny close in on Cardiff returns

Taulupe Faletau and Leigh Halfpenny have won a century of caps for Wales

United Rugby Championship: Munster v Cardiff

Venue: Thomond Park Date: Saturday, 4 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Listen live on the BBC Sport website and app

Cardiff are hopeful that Wales greats Taulupe Faletau and Leigh Halfpenny will be back from injury in the first block of the United Rugby Championship (URC).

The Blue and Blacks are without the veterans for Saturday's trip to Munster (19:45 BST) along with suspended centre Ben Thomas.

However, hooker Liam Belcher is available despite being forced off in the first half of the 33-20 opening weekend win against Lions.

The captain failed his initial head injury assessment but passed subsequent tests to be a contender for Thomond Park.

Number eight Faletau and full-back Halfpenny, who has returned to the club as a player and kicking coach, are on the comeback trail from calf injuries.

Cardiff travel to Munster this weekend, then host Connacht, face Dragons in Newport and entertain Edinburgh in the first block of the URC.

"Taulupe is getting back to training and joining the sessions, not a full session yet, but bits of it," said coach Corniel van Zyl. "It's definitely looking positive and he is tracking well on his return to play."

Faletau, 34, signed a new contract with Cardiff in May after playing just eight times for the club in an injury-hit 2024-25.

He suffered heat stroke in Wales' first Test defeat by Japan and then suffered the calf injury in training on his return.

The back-row trio of Alex Mann, Taine Basham and Alun Lawrence performed strongly for Cardiff against Lions.

Leigh Halfpenny made 87 appearances in his first spell at Cardiff

Halfpenny, who spent last season in England with Harlequins, signed while recovering from a calf injury.

The 36-year-old won the Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup during his first spell at the Arms Park between 2007 and 2014.

The full-back is working with the Cardiff kickers and will soon be available for selection.

"He is almost back to full training so hopefully in the coming weeks he will be joining us on the pitch doing the sessions, then we can take it from there. There's no doubt that he will add value to the outside backs," said Van Zyl.

Cardiff name their team to face Munster, who won impressively at Scarlets last Saturday, at midday on Friday, but will be without influential centre Thomas after his 20-minute red card.

He is banned for at least two games but will return against Dragons if he completes the World Rugby coaching intervention programme, also dubbed "tackle school".

After head coach Matt Sherratt left on the eve of the season to join Wales, Van Zyl is temporarily leading a coaching team that also features his fellow assistants Gethin Jenkins, Jonny Goodridge and Scott Andrews.

"Nothing has changed and we have settled in," said the South African. "The coaches have grabbed the opportunity, we all enjoy what we do and we just have a little bit more responsibility."