Bath’s Faletau is ruled out of Wales games
BATH Rugby number eight Taulupe Faletau is set to miss all of Wales’ autumn internationals, writes John Evely.
The 91-cap back rower was released back to his club on Tuesday after the extent of his ankle injury was fully assessed by the Wales medical team.
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones is also ruled out until well into next year due to a shoulder injury.
Wayne Pivac’s men play South Africa, Fiji and Australia this month, having been thrashed 56-16 by the New Zealand All Blacks last weekend without their Premiership players as the fixture was played outside of the international window.
It is understood Faletau is not close to a return to action from the injury he sustained in training back in September after returning to Farleigh House from a delayed summer break having been selected for his third British & Irish Lions tour.
Faletau, who this week was confirmed to be leaving the club at the end of the season to join Cardiff Rugby when his contract expires, is understood not to have taken part in full club training since his injury.
The Blue, Black and Whites head to Leicester Tigers in round eight of the Premiership tonight before travelling to Gloucester on November 12 in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Bath then have a bye week in the cup before hosting Exeter Chiefs back in the league on November 26.
Meanwhile, Academy second row Ewan Richards will make his first senior start at Leicester.
The 19-year-old has made three league appearances for the club thus far, all of which have come as a replacement. He earns his opportunity alongside captain for the evening Josh McNally.
Elsewhere, Tom Dunn is back at hooker and Max Clark retains his place in the midfield.
Ollie Fox and Danny Cipriani link up at half-back with Semesa Rokoduguni, Will Muir and Jonathan Joseph completing the backline.
In the pack, Juan Schoeman and D’Arcy Rae flank Dunn in the front row.
Bath Rugby: O Bailey; S Rokoduguni, J Joseph, M Clark, W Muir, D Cipriani, O Fox; J Schoeman, T Dunn, D Rae, J McNally (capt), E Richards, T Ellis, R De Carpentier, M Reid. Replacements: J Du Toit, A Cordwell, K Verden, N Merigan, T Cowan, M Green, M Ojomoh, R McConnochie.