Faletau tweets message from hospital bed as World Cup dream ends

Taulupe Faletau has underlined his disappointment with “how things have turned out” after he was sidelined from Wales’ World Cup campaign.

Bath number eight Faletau, who has won 72 caps and played in four Tests for the British and Irish Lions, suffered a collarbone injury during Wales training.

The Welsh Rugby Union said he would require surgery following what the governing body described as “an innocuous training ground incident”.

Faletau tweeted a picture of him in a hospital bed on Friday, and said: “Thank you for all of your messages of support.

“Disappointed with how things have turned out, and to miss out on the chance to represent Wales at RWC 2019 – but it wasn’t meant to be.

“Wishing the rest of the squad every success going forward. See you soon.”

It is the latest major injury setback for Faletau, who broke his arm twice last season.

His last Wales appearance came more than 16 months ago, but he trained with the nation this summer and was recently part of an intensive two-week camp in the Swiss Alps.

His absence will be keenly felt, although Wales have considerable back-row resources, with the likes of Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Aaron Shingler, Justin Tipuric and Aaron Wainwright among those in head coach Warren Gatland’s training squad.

Gatland is due to name his final 31-man World Cup squad for Japan in early September, with Wales’ opening game being against Georgia in Toyota City on September 23.

Wales’ first World Cup warm-up fixture is a Twickenham appointment with England in nine days’ time.

Bath Director of Rugby, Stuart Hooper said of Faletau's injury: “Any time a player misses out on a major competition is hugely disappointing – we are all feeling the impact of this news, especially as it follows a number of unfortunate and frustrating injuries for him. We will plan and support Toby’s recovery, making sure it is the very best for him, in order to maximise his successful return to the game.”

- PA