DUO HAND PIVAC A MAJOR BOOST
WALES have received a timely double boost with Taulupe Faletau and Tomas Francis both emerging unscathed from action with their English clubs.
Bath back-rower Faletau and Exeter prop Francis were on opposing sides in Saturday afternoon’s Gallagher Premiership clash at The Rec.
They had to be released to their clubs – along with Wales’ other England-based players – as it’s a fallow week in the Six Nations.
Faletau played the full 80 minutes, packing down on the blindside flank, while tighthead Francis came on as a second-half replacement.
Both of them looked fine at the end of a match which Exeter came from behind in to win 38-16 after trailing 13-0 at one point.
It will be welcome news for Grand Slam-chasing Wales coach Wayne Pivac as they are two key men in his pack.
Seven Welsh squad members were in action at the weekend.
Uncapped prop WillGriff Jones started at tighthead for Sale against Newcastle on Friday night, while second row Will Rowlands had 68 minutes for Wasps in their 20-19 home defeat to Gloucester on Saturday afternoon.
Ospreys centre Owen Watkin and Dragons back-rower Aaron Wainwright were released by Pivac to get some game-time in Saturday night’s derby clash between the two regions at the Liberty Stadium.
Neither player was involved in last weekend’s Triple Crown-clinching victory over England at the Principality Stadium.
Gloucester winger Louis ReesZammit was rested from his club’s meeting with Wasps, which will be a big relief to Welsh fans, while fly-half Dan Biggar sat out Northampton’s visit to Harlequins on Sunday due to a small tweak in his leg.