Faletau may be out for two months

BATH 58 NEWCASTLE 5

WALES No 8 Taulupe Faletau faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines following a scan on his left knee, according to Bath’s new director of rugby, Todd Blackadder.

The former All Black, speaking after Bath’s 58-5 demolition of Newcastle, discounted any surgery for the 24-year-old who suffered medial ligament damage in the early minutes of last week’s win at Northampton.

“He’s had a scan this week. It’s anything from six to eight (weeks),” Blackadder said.

That spells bad news for club and country, with Faletau now an apparent doubt for Wales’ autumn internationals.

Bath will be without Scotland back row David Denton even longer.

Blackadder said the severity of Denton’s hamstring tear in that game means that he would be missing for four months. The club are making efforts to bring last year’s No 8 and fans’ favourite Leroy Houston back from Australia on loan.

On the eight-try performance against Newcastle, Blackadder said: “I’m just so pleased for our players. It was fantastic.

“It was a great atmosphere. The support here is unbelievable. You just feel the passion and commitment to the team. The support we got was amazing. Long may it continue.”

Blackadder paid tribute to two-try Semesa Rokoduguni’s galvanising effect on the players around him.

“When he saw the opportunities he really went for it. That inspired our guys. Dave Attwood was one of our best today, too,” Blackadder said.

“We’ll celebrate and enjoy this, a fantastic performance. It’s great weather and the boys probably deserve a few quiet beers – and so they should.”