Faletau relishes battle to win starting place on Lions tour

Taulupe Faletau is relishing an inevitably ferocious battle for back-row starting places on the British and Irish Lions’ New Zealand tour.

And that could even include a head-to-head contest with his cousin – England and Saracens star Billy Vunipola – for the Lions’ Test number eight shirt.

Vunipola served further notice of his explosive game-breaking powers with a brilliant display in Saracens’ European Champions Cup final victory over Clermont Auvergne at Murrayfield two days ago.

Some pundits are talking about both players starting the Tests this summer, with Wales and Bath number eight Faletau featuring at blindside flanker, such is the potential immense worth of both players to the Lions.

And Faletau says he will be happy to do whatever is required as he prepares for his second successive Lions trip.

“Billy was immense at the weekend,” Faletau said. “He has been playing really well, and I am sure he will do that on tour. It is competition between us. It is healthy for me and him and the other back-row men.

“I would have no problems with that (playing six). If it means playing for the Lions, then I would not say no. Professionally, I have not played six, no. I have played seven a couple of time, though. For Wales there, too.

“With the injuries I had in the season, I have had a good run of games towards the end of the season, and it has helped.

“The end goal is the Test matches and winning those. But we have to get through those first (tour) games and get into the All Blacks at the end.

“We are going to have to be intense for 80 minutes to compete against them.

“Their (replacements’) bench can make a difference, but the quality here is more than capable of matching that and being the impact we need.

“The group of boys in the squad is amazing. We have great talent, and everyone has a good mindset.”