Tandy keeps Faletau in World Cup contention despite Wales squad omission

Steve Tandy has left open the possibility of Taulupe Faletau playing at a fourth World Cup, despite omitting the number eight from Wales’ Nations Championship squad. BBC Sport reported that the head coach still sees international ambition in the 35-year-old, whose immediate task is to establish his fitness through regular club rugby.

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Faletau returned from injury with a 55-minute appearance for Cardiff against Northampton in the Champions Cup on Sunday. He has 109 Wales caps but has not played for his country since facing Japan in the summer of 2025, and has yet to appear under Tandy.

Previous opportunities to join Tandy’s team were interrupted by a knee injury and then a calf problem. The coach told BBC Sport that consistent availability would be needed before a return could be considered. He also stressed the importance of handling successive matches within a World Cup squad limited to 33 players.

Faletau featured at the 2011, 2015 and 2023 World Cups, missing the 2019 tournament after breaking his collarbone. His possible involvement in Australia next year remains conditional, rather than a selection commitment from Tandy.

For November, Wales have named 39 players under captain Dewi Lake, with 22 forwards and 17 backs. Dragons RFC’s squad announcement confirmed that Cardiff’s Taine Basham is among the call-ups, alongside Seb Davies and Rio Dyer. Liam Belcher, Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, Louie Hennessey and Dafydd Jenkins return after being unavailable for the competition’s July window.

Three uncapped players are included: Cardiff loose-head prop Rhys Barratt, Dragons scrum-half Che Hope and Dragons centre Aneurin Owen. The Dragons contingent also includes Ben Carter and Dillon Lewis, taking the club’s representation to six. Tandy said the selection offered opportunities to players whose club performances had impressed him.

Wales’ next three competition fixtures are at Principality Stadium against Japan, New Zealand and Australia on consecutive Saturdays in November. Those matches follow July visits to Fiji, Argentina and South Africa. The Nations Championship then concludes with a finals weekend at Twickenham, where all 12 participating teams will play for their finishing positions.