What next for out on Wales’
WALES will hope to be further boosted after their Grand Slam success by the return of a number of key players from injury, among them Test Lion Taulupe Faletau.
But how far are some of those key performers from resuming ahead of the World Cup? We look at the list...
TAULUPE FALETAU
Injuries have meant one of Wales’ best players has played just two Tests over the past 16 or so months.
And his circumstances don’t seem to be improving quickly. He had hoped to feature in the Six Nations after returning from a broken arm in January.
But he suffered a fresh fracture in his comeback match for Bath which meant he was absent for what turned into a Grand Slam campaign.
Bath say he is likely to miss the rest of the season but “should” be available for the World Cup.
Wales will hope there are no further issues for the 28-year-old.
That they have depth in the back row is not in doubt after the way Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty, Aaron Wainwright and Thomas Young played during the Six Nations.
But any side in the world would benefit from having a fully-fit Faletau back in the mix.
AARON SHINGLER
Remember him? A year ago his star was high in the sky after an outstanding Six Nations campaign, when he surged to prominence with his work at the line-outs, breakdown and around the field.
The former Glamorgan cricketer also offered something different with his ground-eating ball carrying.
So well did he go that Sam Warburton spoke of him in glowing terms, saying: “My Welsh player of the season would have to be Aaron Shingler for the impact he’s had.”
But just when it seemed Shingler had cracked it at Test level, fate turned against him.
A smashed knee in the Guinness PRO14 final against Leinster required surgery and left the 6ft 6in forward in agony in the early stages of his recovery. The 31-year-old needed further medical attention around Christmas and has since been building slowly towards a comeback.
There are hopes he will resume sooner rather than later, before the end of the season if all goes well. “He’s progressing,” said Wayne Pivac this week. “He’s doing a bit of running. It’s just a matter of strengthening the knee.”
Competition for places is tight, though, and the clock is ticking for every injured player. Shingler will need a lot to go right if he is to make Warren Gatland’s squad.
His fellow Scarlet on the long-term injury list, James Davies, was due back in action last night.
OLLIE GRIFFITHS
Many at the Dragons cannot speak highly enough of the 23-year-old back rower. “He is phenomenal,” enthused Richard Hibbard recently.
For anyone in any doubt, that’s significant praise from a player who,