Wales blow as Ben Thomas set to miss autumn start as Faletau nears return
Wales look set to start the autumn without centre Ben Thomas but could have Taulupe Faletau back just in time.
Thomas, 27, is sidelined with a calf injury. Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl says the 19-cap midfielder should still play some part in the Nations Championship, the new 12-team global tournament, but may miss the first or second game, BBC Sport.
That is a blow for Wales. Thomas started at inside centre — the midfield role that mixes hard carrying with distribution — in the 43-0 defeat by South Africa in Durban in July.
There is better news on Faletau. The Cardiff back-rower — one of the loose forwards who carry, tackle and link play — has not played since injuring a shoulder against the Sharks in March.
He was pulled out just before Cardiff’s 29-5 United Rugby Championship defeat by Leinster in Dublin. Van Zyl now believes the veteran will play again in the next couple of weeks, BBC Sport.
Cardiff face a sharp test of their depth. They travel to Northampton on Sunday for their Champions Cup opener, Europe’s top club competition, then host the Sharks five days later in the URC, the league for clubs from Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and South Africa.
For fans, this means timing is tight. Wales head coach Steve Tandy names his autumn squad next week.
Wales open against Japan on 7 November at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Home games against New Zealand and Australia follow to complete a demanding autumn block.
