Wales hoping Faletau can provide X-factor

Wales are hoping the return of veteran loose forward Taulupe Faletau will provide the X-factor to bring their 13-match losing streak to an end when they travel to Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday, coach Warren Gatland said.

The 34-year-old British & Irish Lions player last featured for Wales when they beat Georgia in the 2023 World Cup and Gatland told a press conference on Thursday that Faletau was raring to go.

“It's a big booster for us, just probably that a little x-factor. We know what an outstanding player he's been in the past for Wales. He hasn't had a lot of games in the last few years, but just having him back gives everyone a lot of confidence," the coach said.

With 104 international caps there is no doubting Faletau’s pedigree but there will be questions about whether he is the same player after a series of injuries, including breaking his arm, a shoulder injury and knee problem.

"Yeah, that's a million dollar question," Gatland said at the team’s training camp in the south of France.

"In terms of the way that he's trained, he's been good. He looked really sharp for us in the autumn, but he wasn't quite right last week with his knee."

Wales were humbled 43-0 by France last Friday in Paris.

"It's been tough on him, and it's been hard with the injuries that he's had over the last number of years, and so we're looking for some of those special traits that he has to get us on the front foot and hopefully inspire those players around them,” Gatland coach said.

If Wales’ record losing streak is extended in Rome, they will plunge to an all-time low 12th in the world rankings.

But Gatland reject the suggestion that this was the biggest game for Wales in years.

"It's an important game for us, and we're well aware of that, but we've got some other tough games in this competition too," he said.

"Just getting the monkey off your back and giving some confidence and getting players’ shoulders back a little bit and for them to stand a little bit taller. I know how hard they're working, how hard they're trying to get us that win.” REUTERS