Wales and Bath No.8 Faletau plays down injury fears
Bath number eight Taulupe Faletau played down fears about his fitness ahead of Wales’ opening Six Nations match against Italy after he was taken off just before the final whistle in the 13-10 win over Leicester.
Tom Homer snatched the win for Bath with his second try 11 minutes from full-time.
“I got a bit banged about but nothing too serious, and I should be able to report back to Wales next week,” said British and Irish Lions forward Faletau.
When asked about his general fitness since returning to action a month ago after twice breaking his forearm and then his collarbone, he added: “I’m perhaps not quite there yet but I’m just enjoying being out on the pitch.
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“Going into camp (with Wales) now, I’m delighted to be there.”
Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper said there had been “some firm words” spoken in the home dressing room at half-time after gifting too much possession to Leicester.
“We found a way to win though,” he added. “When we went behind we showed decent amount of character. I thought some of the big players stood up and got us back into the game. Ultimately we got the try that won it.
“There are lessons to be learned but it’s important that we learn them with four points in the bag. Losing the ball 11 times in the first half, you can’t build any pressure.”
On Faletau, he added: “Today was brilliant for him, to get out there and get another game under his belt. Whether he plays in the Six Nations or not is (Wales head coach) Wayne Pivac’s call. He’s a quality player though.”
One of Eddie Jones' squad members is off the list for France on February 2https://t.co/1xgs2lAqiM
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Hooper was guarded when questioned about rumours of Saracens players joining Bath because of the champions’ enforced relegation over salary cap infringements.
“Every club is in a recruitment cycle. Those decisions have to be made very carefully and strategically,” he said. “We are looking at the whole market, as we always are.
“You don’t get a shopping list come through the door. The players will all deal with their own situations with Sarries. When people know who is available and what’s going to happen, then decisions can be made.”
Leicester head coach Geordan Murphy was disappointed not to get the win.
He said: “It was a pretty grim game. It was turgid but you could see both teams were both desperate.
“I thought we did enough and the way we defended at the back end of the first half was stoic. To then miss a one-on-one for the Tom Homer try is particularly disappointing.
“There were some big moments: we got the ball over the try-line and the boys reckoned they got it down.
“At two points up. Bath having had most of the play, and ten to go, I thought ‘We’re in this.’ But it is what it is.
“Bath won the game through their outside backs and dominance of territory.”
Press Association
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments