Test blow for Wales as Faletau return is delayed

BATH have ruled Taulupe Faletau out for another month, banishing any faint hope of the Welsh Lion lining up against Australia in three weeks time.

The revelation that his recovery from knee damage will take longer than expected comes 48 hours before acting head coach Rob Howley names the squad for next month’s four Tests in four weeks, starting against the Wallabies on November 5.

Rather than declare Faletau a non-starter, Wales have been clinging to the hope that he would be fit in time. Now, in view of the latest prognosis, they must decide whether to leave their mighty No. 8 out or include him on the basis that he could be fit for the closing match, against South Africa on November 26.

Faletau has not played since damaging medial knee ligaments eleven minutes into his Aviva Premiership debut on September 3.

Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder put his recovery time at eight weeks but that estimate has turned out to be optimistic. “It will probably be mid-November before he’s back,’’ a

source told The Rugby Paper. “The severity of the injury meant it would take a minimum of eight weeks and a maximum of 12. The rehab process has to run its course before he can start training.’’

Bath had hoped to have Faletau back for their Premiership match at Exeter on October 30. Now they have no option but to delay his come-back until the AngloWelsh Cup tie against Scarlets on November 11 or the derby against Bristol the following week.

Howley is not short of back row options with Gloucester’s Ross Moriarty as well as the Ospreys pair James King and Dan Baker in serious contention. Sam Warburton could be back for the Blues this week after surgery to repair a fractured cheekbone.

Luke Charteris, out for a month because of a knee infection, made a timely return for Bath against Pau in France last night alongside his compatriot, Rhys Priestland.