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Cardiff and Wales No8 Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing his shoulder in his comeback against Ulster on Friday in the United Rugby Championship.
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The 104-cap Wales international, 33, was just 30 minutes into his first match of 2024 when he left the field cradling his arm, as Cardiff went on to lose 19-17 in Belfast.
Faletau had been on the sidelines since the World Cup last year when he broke his arm against Georgia. His return was delayed by a calf injury, which meant he did not participate in Wales’ Six Nations campaign.
This latest injury will rule the No8 out of Wales’ July fixtures, where Warren Gatland’s side will take on Australia in a two-Test series.
Cardiff posted on X: “Confirmation from Matt Sherratt that Taulupe Faletau has fractured his shoulder and will miss the rest of the season. Best wishes and a speedy recovery Toby.”
Cardiff have four matches remaining this season in the URC, beginning with their last match of the season at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday against Edinburgh (their final home match against the Ospreys will be played at the Cardiff City Stadium). That match will also serve as a farewell to club greats Josh Turnbull and Ellis Jenkins, who will retire at the end of the season.
Ahead of Faletau’s comeback against Ulster, Cardiff coach Sherratt showered the Wales international in praise, describing him as a “Rolls Royce”. He said: “It is brilliant to have him back, for Taulupe and for the rest of the group.
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“He’s a Rolls-Royce, isn’t he?
“He is out there running around and he gets the best out of everyone else.
“You can see it when he’s back around, with the likes of Mackenzie Martin, Alex Mann. Who doesn’t want to play with Taulupe Faletau? He’s a brilliant player.
“He doesn’t say a huge amount, he is pretty quiet, but he loves playing rugby. If you speak to him about the next game or playing for Wales, his eyes light up like he’s a first capper.”
The shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
Oh dear, bones too suspect to continue?