Faletau to miss Ospreys derby after finger injury on Cardiff return
Archive article. Published on Sat 24 Oct, 20:06. Conditions may have changed since this reporting.
Taulupe Faletau will miss Cardiff’s derby at Ospreys after suffering a finger injury following his return to action against Northampton. BBC Sport Wales reports that the number eight needs surgery. Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl told the broadcaster that Faletau would miss the 31 October game and that the club hoped he could return after November. That is an expectation, rather than a confirmed return date.
Faletau career context reported 24 October
- Cardiff appearances since joining in 2022
- 31
- Wales caps
- 109
Setback after Northampton comeback
Faletau made his first appearance since March in Cardiff’s Champions Cup defeat at Northampton on 18 October. According to the BBC report, he noticed pain after the match rather than during it. The latest absence interrupts his attempt to build a run of games. Cardiff’s earlier team announcement had named him at number eight for Northampton after a late withdrawal from the previous trip to Leinster.
Cardiff had planned a managed return
In a separate interview published by Cardiff on 22 October, Van Zyl described the value of managing Faletau’s game time at this stage of his career. The coach said the aim was to give him opportunities to play and put himself back into the selectors’ thinking. That interview preceded Saturday’s injury report. It should not be read as medical clearance following the new setback. Cardiff will need to reassess his availability as his recovery progresses.