Calf injury puts Ben Thomas in doubt for Wales autumn opener

Wales centre Ben Thomas could miss the opening two matches of the Nations Championship's November programme because of a calf injury, BBC Sport reported. Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl expects Thomas to be available for part of the competition, but said his recovery might not be complete in time for either of Wales's first two games.

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The update comes before Wales coach Steve Tandy names his autumn squad next week. Wales begin against Japan at the Principality Stadium on 7 November, with further home matches against New Zealand and Australia to follow. Thomas, 27, has made 19 international appearances and started at inside centre in the 43-0 defeat by South Africa in Durban in July.

Thomas has shared the number 12 shirt with Joe Hawkins during 2026 under Tandy. Eddie James, who has regularly played outside centre for Wales, is another option in the inside-centre position, according to the BBC. Van Zyl's assessment leaves open the possibility of Thomas returning during the programme rather than ruling him out of the entire series of matches.

Cardiff also provided an update on Taulupe Faletau after the number eight's planned comeback was halted shortly before Saturday's 29-5 United Rugby Championship defeat by Leinster in Dublin. The 35-year-old had been named in the starting team but did not play. He has been absent since suffering a shoulder injury against Sharks in March, and van Zyl said Faletau had not felt sufficiently ready to return.

Van Zyl said there were no major concerns about a long-term injury and remained confident Faletau could play within the next couple of weeks. That is an expectation rather than a confirmed return date, and his availability for Wales remains uncertain. Cardiff have two fixtures before the national squad assembles: Sunday's Champions Cup visit to Northampton and a home URC match against Sharks five days later.

Taine Basham replaced Faletau at very short notice against Leinster, earning praise from van Zyl for his response and performance. The coach believes Basham's recent club form will attract attention from the Wales selectors. Basham, 26, has 17 caps, with his most recent international appearance coming against England in the 2024 Six Nations. No recall has been announced.