Wales lose 'world-class' Faletau with uncapped PREM star called up

Wales No.8 Taulupe Faletau has been forced to withdraw from the Wales squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Series after picking up a knee injury.

The 34-year-old has been replaced in the squad by Leicester Tigers’ uncapped back-row Olly Cracknell, who is fresh from starting at No.8 in the Tigers’ Gallagher PREM victory over Sale Sharks.

Faletau was forced from the field in the opening five minutes of Cardiff’s victory over Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship at the weekend, sparking fears that his autumn campaign could be over.

The six-cap British & Irish Lion has been dogged by injuries in recent years, and missed the start to Cardiff’s URC campaign.

The Leeds-born Former Wales U20 international Cracknell, 31, has been involved in Wales camps before, but is yet to earn his first Test cap.

Fixture

Internationals

Wales

28 - 52

Full-time

Argentina

All Stats and Data

Steve Tandy’s side face a tough November campaign, which will begin with a visit from Argentina on November 9, followed by contests against Japan, the All Blacks and South Africa.

Tandy said: “It’s obviously hugely disappointing to lose Toby to injury as he’s a world-class player. But Olly’s been playing really well for Leicester and we’re excited to add him to the squad.”

Updated Wales squad
Forwards (22)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 15 caps)
Adam Beard (Montpellier – 58 caps)
Liam Belcher (Cardiff Rugby – 2 caps)
Rhys Carre (Saracens – 20 caps)
Ben Carter (Dragons – 13 caps)
Brodie Coghlan (Dragons – uncapped)
Christian Coleman (Dragons – 1 cap)
Olly Cracknell (Leicester Tigers – uncapped)
Rhys Davies (Ospreys – 3 caps)
James Fender (Ospreys – uncapped)
Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 8 caps)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 23 caps)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 22 caps)
Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 7 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 23 caps) Captain
Morgan Morse (Ospreys – uncapped)
Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 8 caps)
Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 56 caps)
Danny Southworth (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 42 caps)
Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – 4 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 59 caps)

Backs (17)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 63 caps)
Jacob Beetham (Cardiff Rugby – 1 cap)
Rio Dyer (Dragons – 23 caps)
Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 4 caps)
Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 11 caps)
Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 25 caps)
Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 5 caps)
Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby – uncapped)
Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 8 caps)
Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys – 1 cap)
Blair Murray (Scarlets – 10 caps)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears – 32 caps)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 11 caps)
Callum Sheedy (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 14 caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 41 caps)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 64 caps)