Taulupe Faletau, Wales' number eight and the Blues, is set to miss the start of the Six Nations Championship due to a calf injury sustained while playing for his club side. The 35-year-old was forced off the field in the New Year's Day defeat against Ospreys, with team officials now revealing that he will also be absent from Cardiff's two remaining Challenge Cup games and several upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) matches.
Faletau, who has won 109 caps for Wales, suffered a calf strain back at the start of the season and missed the initial part of the campaign. He made his return in November with three appearances, including a try in the URC derby win against Leinster.
With Faletau's absence, coach Corniel van Zyl has indicated that he may not be available for selection until after the tournament opener away from England on 7 February. Van Zyl stated that although the injury is significant, he remains confident that his star man will return in time to contribute to Wales' Six Nations campaign.
Faletau's calf injury adds further concern for a Welsh side which already faces an injury blow with captain Jac Morgan set to miss at least the first half of the tournament due to a separate knee issue. Gloucester centre Max Llewellyn will also be out for the initial stages, providing another challenge for Wales head coach Steve Tandy in naming his squad.
The absence of several key players has raised questions over the future of several clubs, with Ross Moriarty's return from injury set to offer an alternative option for the number eight position. The Blues, meanwhile, are expected to face a tough few weeks without Faletau, who is out of contract with them in the summer.
As Taulupe Faletau navigates his way back to fitness, Wales fans will be eagerly awaiting news on the availability of their star player. With several key players set to miss significant periods of action, it's uncertain whether the Welsh team can overcome these setbacks and make a deep impact in this year's Six Nations Championship.
Faletau, who has won 109 caps for Wales, suffered a calf strain back at the start of the season and missed the initial part of the campaign. He made his return in November with three appearances, including a try in the URC derby win against Leinster.
With Faletau's absence, coach Corniel van Zyl has indicated that he may not be available for selection until after the tournament opener away from England on 7 February. Van Zyl stated that although the injury is significant, he remains confident that his star man will return in time to contribute to Wales' Six Nations campaign.
Faletau's calf injury adds further concern for a Welsh side which already faces an injury blow with captain Jac Morgan set to miss at least the first half of the tournament due to a separate knee issue. Gloucester centre Max Llewellyn will also be out for the initial stages, providing another challenge for Wales head coach Steve Tandy in naming his squad.
The absence of several key players has raised questions over the future of several clubs, with Ross Moriarty's return from injury set to offer an alternative option for the number eight position. The Blues, meanwhile, are expected to face a tough few weeks without Faletau, who is out of contract with them in the summer.
As Taulupe Faletau navigates his way back to fitness, Wales fans will be eagerly awaiting news on the availability of their star player. With several key players set to miss significant periods of action, it's uncertain whether the Welsh team can overcome these setbacks and make a deep impact in this year's Six Nations Championship.
. Like, seriously, the guy was having an epic season and now he gets to take a breather? It's like the universe is giving him a break from all that pressure. And let's be real, with Ross Moriarty coming back from injury, it looks like the Blues are gonna have some serious depth at number eight. Maybe this is an opportunity for them to find a new go-to guy and shake things up. Plus, can we talk about how overhyped the Six Nations Championship has become? Like, I know it's Wales vs England and all that jazz, but let's not forget it's just a bunch of rugby matches 
. The real question is, will the Blues be able to put together a solid team without Faletau and Morgan for a bit? Only time'll tell!
... like, come on Taulupe! Just when you're back from your calf strain, now a new injury? Faletau is literally the heart and soul of that Welsh team 
. And to make matters worse, it's not just him, Jac Morgan is out too... what's going on with those Blues? 
Can they even make a decent run in the Six Nations without these key players? 
about Wales' chances without Taulupe Faletau and Jac Morgan... it's like they're losing a duo from their core. I mean, Ross Moriarty's return could help but it's not the same as having your main man back in the fray. And with Faletau out for the start of the Six Nations, can they still mount a decent challenge? 
. They play different styles of rugby, you know? It's like trying to replace a brick with a pebble in your wall 
. I don’t think anyone can just magically fill those gaps without some trial and error 
.
. If they can't get their key players back soon, it's going to be an uphill battle against England and the other teams 
!
. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he'll make a comeback in time for the Six Nations, but with several key players set to miss significant periods of action... 
Wales' chances just got a whole lot tougher 
. I mean, Ross Moriarty's return from injury might be a good thing for the Blues, but what about his skills? Is he actually better than Faletau? 
hopefully the other players step up their game and help wales get through this tough period 
he's like the heartbeat of the wales team! 109 caps is insane, what if he doesnt make it back in time?? 
... fingers crossed Ross Moriarty returns from his own injury soon & gives the team some fresh legs 
Taulupe Faletau is a legend 
but now they're gonna miss out on him 
and another injury 
️ affecting Jac Morgan too... 
& the Blues? 
I feel bad for Taulupe Faletau, such a big blow for Wales rugby 
. Ross Moriarty might be the answer but it's not the same as having your star player leading the pack 
. Still hoping Taulupe gets back fit by Feb 7th, fingers crossed! 
... I'm worried about Wales' chances in Six Nations now 
. Ross Moriarty's return to form could provide some relief, but it's unlikely to entirely offset the loss of Faletau's expertise 
. As the tournament approaches, it's difficult to gauge whether Wales can overcome these setbacks and make a meaningful push for the title 
. The uncertainty surrounding key player availability always creates tension among fans, but this time it's particularly high 
.