Faletau left out of Wales squad but Tandy leaves door open
Taulupe Faletau has been left out of Wales' squad for next month's Nations Championship.
Head coach Steve Tandy named his group on Tuesday, 20 October, without the 35-year-old back-row forward. It continues a frustrating wait for one of Wales' most decorated players. France 24
Faletau has just returned from injury. He played 55 minutes for Cardiff in their Champions Cup defeat by Northampton. Tandy said he would "definitely not" be ruled out of future contention. BBC
He has won 109 caps — international appearances — for Wales. His last came against Japan in summer 2025. He has not yet played under Tandy.
That is down to fitness, not form. Faletau was picked in Tandy's first Wales squad, then suffered a knee injury playing for Cardiff. A later call-up for the Six Nations was shelved because of a calf issue, which kept him out of the first three matches of that campaign in early 2026.
Tandy has looked elsewhere at number eight, the back-row forward who controls the ball at the base of the scrum. He used Olly Cracknell and Taine Plumtree there during his first year in charge. For November, he has selected Taine Basham to rival Aaron Wainwright.
Faletau's record gives the decision its weight. He played at the 2011, 2015 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, and missed the 2019 tournament after breaking his collarbone in the build-up. He has also played Tests on three British and Irish Lions tours.
For fans, this means waiting a little longer. Faletau has played 31 times for Cardiff since joining from Bath in 2022, and Wales still value what he offers. Tandy took the Wales job in summer 2025 and has yet to get his senior ball-carrier on the field.
