Cardiff hopeful Faletau will be ready for URC season opener

Cardiff Rugby say they are hopeful that Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau will be fit and available for the start of the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship season. The 35-year-old suffered a season-ending shoulder injury while playing against Sharks last March, and made only seven appearances in the past campaign after also being sidelined by knee and calf problems earlier in the season.

Faletau is currently taking part in pre-season training as he builds toward Cardiff's URC opener against Scarlets on 26 September. Head coach Corniel van Zyl said the player is not yet involved in contact training but is in good physical condition, with his running fitness already at a solid level. Van Zyl said the plan is to gradually increase Faletau's involvement in contact sessions before deciding when he will be ready for full matches.

Faletau joined Cardiff from Bath in 2022 and has made just 30 appearances for the club since then, though a one-year contract extension was announced at the start of July. Van Zyl praised the player's quality and experience, saying his presence gives the whole squad added confidence.

During an earlier spell with Dragons between 2009 and 2016, Faletau was a regular fixture for both club and country, but injuries have repeatedly disrupted his career since. Van Zyl said a rest over the summer and a full pre-season should benefit Faletau, while his workload at Cardiff will also be managed with back-row colleagues Alun Lawrence and Taine Basham also available.

Faletau was included in Wales coach Steve Tandy's first squad 11 months ago but then suffered a knee injury and later a calf issue that kept him out of the Six Nations. His most recent appearance for Wales came against Japan in the summer of 2025, taking his total to 109 caps. Having featured at three previous World Cups, he remains a possible contender for next year's tournament in Australia.