Fighting fit and fresh Faletau is essential for Gatland

TAULUPE Faletau is one of Wales’ most important players and there is a very good argument to say that he’s also the best available to Warren Gatland.

It’s an indication of how good Wales have been in the last year or so that, when Taulupe has been absent, we haven’t really missed him too much.

Taulupe – or Toby as I knew him when I played – was rested for the summer tour and then missed the November Tests with a broken arm suffered in action for Bath.

In that time, Wales have extended their unbeaten run to nine matches with Ross Moriarty stepping in at No. 8 for the majority of that time.

Ross has done a fine job there, but the expected return of Taulupe in midJanuary has already got me licking my lips as I look ahead to 2019. It’s vital Wales keep him fit for the World Cup.

Warren Gatland’s newfound strength in depth means it’s no longer the disaster it once was when key players get injured. There are now replacements ready to step in all over the field.

That said, there is no one quite like Taulupe and he can take Wales to the next level in the Six Nations. For me he’s a certain World Cup starter, fitness issues permitting.

Taulupe has everything. He can carry in the tight and is a real threat in the wide channels where his superb ball handling comes into its own. He also has a very good turn of foot. At set-piece time, he’s excellent in the line-out and provides a solid platform to launch off the back of the scrum.

I can’t wait to see him back in action because he will take an already excellent Wales side to the next level. The other big thing is we don’t have to rush him back. In years gone by, where we had a dearth of resources in reserve, we’d call on our best players to return from injury too quickly.

Now we don’t need to do that which is great news. Let’s handle Taulupe with care and ensure that in a huge year, he’s at his best for us. We need him for our bid for World Cup glory!