Cardiff targets Taulupe Faletau return for start of URC season
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 12:06 PM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026
Cardiff expect number eight Taulupe Faletau to be available for the beginning of the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship. The 35-year-old has returned to non-contact training after sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury against Sharks in March. Faletau previously faced limited playing time last campaign due to separate knee and calf injuries, appearing in only seven matches. Head coach Corniel van Zyl intends to integrate the forward into full contact sessions before the team’s league opener against Scarlets on 26 September. Although Faletau has played only 30 games for the club since joining in 2022, he signed a one-year contract extension in July. Van Zyl stated that Faletau remains a key athlete for the squad and anticipates he will seek to represent Wales at next year’s World Cup in Australia.
- •Taulupe Faletau is participating in non-contact training during the pre-season period.
- •Cardiff faces Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship opener on 26 September.
- •Faletau has earned 109 international caps for Wales.
- •The 35-year-old signed a one-year contract extension with Cardiff at the start of July.
- 12:06 PMYahoo Sports — Cardiff hopeful of Faletau return for start of URC
- 12:01 PMBBC Sport — Cardiff hopeful of Faletau return for start of URC
"Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl says Taulupe Faletau has returned to non-contact training and thinks he will still want to play for Wales.
"Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl says Taulupe Faletau has returned to non-contact training and thinks he will still want to play for Wales.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 12:06 PMCardiff hopeful of Faletau return for start of URC
Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl says Taulupe Faletau has returned to non-contact training and thinks he will still want to play for Wales.
- BBC SportSep 4, 2026, 12:01 PMCardiff hopeful of Faletau return for start of URC
Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl says Taulupe Faletau has returned to non-contact training and thinks he will still want to play for Wales.
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