Filo Tiatia gave a blunt assessment of the Dragons’ failings after they lost for the 21st consecutive time to Cardiff, who moved to the top of the early-season URC table.

Taulupe Faletau was considered a long shot for another Lions tour, but injuries to others could yet open the door to trip number four.

He was written off by some as too old and too prone to injuries, but Taulupe Faletau is proving there is life in the old Lion yet, as Simon Thomas reports.

Warren Gatland is banking on Taulupe’s 100+ cap experience providing his young Welsh side with a real boost in confidence as they seek to beat Italy in Rome in Round 2 of the Guinness Six Nations championship. The 34-year-old Cardiff Rugby No 8 has returned from his latest injury misery to pick up his 105th cap at Stadio Olimpico at the weekend in a vital clash for both nations.

Taulupe Faletau will play his first game for Wales since the 2023 Rugby World Cup after being named on Thursday in the starting line up for their vital Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome on Saturday. In a boost for beleaguered Wales coach Warren Gatland, Faletau’s selection is one of two changes to the side that was heavily beaten in Paris last Friday in the opening game of this year’s tournament. Wales are on a run of 13 defeats and were they to extend that beyond this weekend, it would make Gatland’s position begin to look untenable as well as see the side slip below Georgia to 12th in the world rankings.

Taulupe Faletau is close to fitness, Wales coach Warren Gatland has insisted, even though the No.8 will not play against France on Friday night. Faletau had been earmarked for a dramatic comeback in the Six Nations opener in Paris, but a knee injury has denied Gatland of arguably his one proven world class forward. But Gatland has suggested Faletau – who has not played for Wales since the win over Georgia at the World Cup 16 months ago – could make his return against Italy in round two of the tournament.

Taulupe Faletau will reclaim his Wales No.8 spot for the Six Nations, claims Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt who insists: “If you’re good enough, you’re young enough.” After a frustrating 15 months sidelined by injuries, Faletau is slowly re-establishing himself as a familiar force on the field.

Taulupe Faletau made a winning return to rugby as he managed 52 minutes in only his second appearance for Cardiff this year in the 26-10 bonus-point win over the Cheetahs in the Challenge Cup at the Arms Park. The second coming of 2024 for the 104-times capped Wales No 8 was a much happier experience than his first against Ulster in April.

It’s a feature of Tongan rugby players that they all claim to be related to someone better known and Carwyn Tuipulotu was never going to buck that trend. The South Sea Islanders have been an integral part of the Welsh rugby scene for over 30 years and it appears they all belong to one huge extended family.

Taulupe Faletau is not ready to give up on his dream of once again playing for Wales and is targeting a return to action in the United Rugby Championship with Cardiff at the end of October. That would give him an outside shot of convincing Warren Gatland he is ready to return to the Test arena and add to his 104 Welsh caps in the Autumn Nations Series.

Dan Biggar believes Wales have something to build on after displaying “enough promising signs” during their Australia tour. A 2-0 series defeat against the Wallabies this summer extended Wales’ losing run to nine Tests – one short of equalling the record sequence in 2002 and 2003.

The new rugby campaign is still some weeks away here in Wales, but like Amazon and Netflix, the global season never sleeps. So, just as you may have been digesting the Sevens tournament at the Olympics in Paris, off the back of Wales’ summer tour to Australia, the kitchen doors are swung off their hinges and in come the waiters, ready to serve up the Rugby Championship.