Toby Faletau to fly back home – Rugby News Update
Toby Faletau, the 21-year-old Wales back-row will be playing no further part on the tour of Australia, where the Welsh are playing the Wallabies in a three-match test series.
The 17-time capped player sustained a hand injury in the first test loss to the Wallabies at Brisbane on Saturday, June 9, and is going to fly back home. The interim coach of Wales, Rob Howley, has called upon Gareth Delve as a back up, who will take up
a place in the squad for the next test on June 16, at Melbourne.
"We are a game down, but we still have all to play for in this series and Tuesday night is the perfect opportunity for this squad of players to move on," Howley said.
"We have one or two bumps and bruises and we are expecting players to 'back-up' after playing a tough Test match and go out there 72 hours later and play for their country. But that is exactly what touring is all about. It will be a test of character for
the likes of Luke, James and Alun-Wyn, who all made significant contributions on Saturday," he added further.
Delve has not played for Wales since he lined up against Italy at Millennium Stadium, on March 20, 2010. He is currently playing for the Melbourne Rebels in the Super Rugby, and was the easiest person to call as a replacement. He will be hoping to add to
the 11 caps he has earned so far in order to strengthen is spot in the side.
Faletau however, will be disappointed with the injury but will get ready for the next season. The back-row has established himself as an important member of the side since making his debut against the Barbarians at Millennium Stadium, on June 4, 2011.
Wales Squad:
Wales: L Williams (Scarlets); H Robinson (Cardiff Blues), A Bishop (Ospreys), A Beck (Ospreys), A Brew (Biarritz), J Hook (Perpignan), R Webb (Ospreys); P James (Bath), R Hibbard (Ospreys), R Jones (Scarlets), AW Jones (Ospreys, capt), L Charteris (Perpignan),
R Turnbull (Scarlets), J Tipuric (Ospreys), A Shingler (Scarlets)
Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), R Gill (Saracens), I Evans (Ospreys), G Delve (Melbourne Rebels), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Priestland (Scarlets), A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)
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