Latest news with #TaulupeFaletau
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Wales number eight Faletau signs new Cardiff deal
Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has signed a new deal to stay at 34, was out of contract at the end of the season at the Arms who were taken over by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) in April after temporarily going into administration, have announced Faletau is staying for a fourth has been named in Wales' squad for the two Test tour of Japan in July which is being led by his Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt in his role as interim head number eight will have not given up hope of being called up for a fourth British and Irish Lions tour having not been named in the initial touring party to has played 108 internationals for Wales and five Tests for the Lions. "I'm happy to be staying with Cardiff and continuing to play my rugby here at home," said Faletau."Being part of this group of players has been amazing. There's a good vibe on and off the pitch, and I really enjoy working with Jockey [Matt Sherratt]. His insights and support have challenged me to grow and improve."I'm grateful for the continued opportunity and looking forward to what's shaping up to be an exciting year ahead." 'One of the greatest' Faletau, who started his career with Dragons, has been limited to just 23 appearances for Cardiff in three years since his move from Bath.A broken arm suffered in the 2023 World Cup against Georgia was followed by a fractured shoulder on his club return in April 2024 against has had a run of games in recent months and has been excellent in the second half of the season."We are delighted to be able to keep Taulupe at Cardiff and in Wales," said Sherratt."He is a highly respected member of our squad and has shown recently the quality he brings to the pitch. "He is one of very few players who has real quality in every aspect of the game."He is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to pull on a Cardiff shirt and the red shirt of Wales and we are delighted he is staying with us."Taulupe and his family are settled in Cardiff and this played a big part in him agreeing a new contract."
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Taulupe Faletau signs new deal to stay in Wales as he turns down big-money move abroad
Taulupe Faletau signs new deal to stay in Wales as he turns down big-money move abroad The Wales international had been heavily linked with a number of French clubs but has decided to stay at Cardiff Faletau has signed a new deal to stay at Cardiff (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency ) Wales star Taulupe Faletau has signed a new contract to stay at Cardiff, having turned down big-money offers to move abroad. The back rower was due to be out of contract at Arms Park at the end of the month, with the man himself admitting last month that he was unsure where he would be playing his rugby next season. He had been heavily linked with a number of French clubs including Stade Niçois and Provence Rugby, but has now chosen to extend his stay in the capital. The 34-year-old is approaching the end of his career but has been in excellent form since returning injury in December, with a series of standout performances towards the close of the season as Cardiff narrowly missed out on the URC play-offs. He was named Player of the Match when he helped his side to victory over Munster in April and is now set for more nights at the Arms Park having put pen to paper on a new deal. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. As his new contract was confirmed, Faletau said: 'I'm really happy to be staying with Cardiff and continuing to play my rugby here at home. Being part of this group of players has been amazing. "There's a good vibe on and off the pitch, and I really enjoy working with Jockey. His insights and support have challenged me to grow and improve. 'Playing at the Arms Park is also truly special and the support we receive is brilliant. 'I'm grateful for the continued opportunity and I'm looking forward to what's shaping up to be an exciting year ahead.' Meanwhile, Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt said that everyone at the region was "delighted" to retain Faletau's services as he paid tribute to the three-time British & Irish Lions tourist and described him as "undoubtedly one of the greatest players" to represent the Blue & Blacks. 'We are all delighted to be able to keep Taulupe at Cardiff and in Wales," said Sherratt. "He is a highly respected member of our squad and he has shown recently the quality he brings to the pitch. He is one of very few players who has real quality in every aspect of the game. 'Taulupe and his family are very settled in Cardiff and this played a big part in him agreeing a new contract. 'He is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to pull on a Cardiff shirt and the red shirt of Wales and we are delighted he is staying with us." It comes weeks after Faletau - who has made 23 appearances for Cardiff since signing from Bath in 2022 - admitted he was unsure where his future lay. 'I don't know where I will be playing next season yet,' he said after his outstanding performance against Munster in April. Article continues below 'It's just been up and down, playing and not playing, so to get the run of games the last few weeks has been good. I am just happy to get out there with the boys."
Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
Wales pick experience for Japan tour in bid to end 17-game losing run
With Wales desperate for a win, any sort of win, after 17 consecutive defeats, the interim head coach Matt Sherratt has spurned any hint of development and selected what he considers his strongest possible squad for the two-Test tour to Japan in July. Yes, there are two players — only two — in Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams away with the British & Irish Lions and a number of others are either injured or unavailable. Dafydd Jenkins is having surgery, while Adam Beard, Will Rowlands, Henry Thomas, Jarrod Evans, Mason Grady and Max Llewellyn were not considered for various reasons, but Sherratt has gone for experience in his 33-man squad, with the likes of Josh Adams, Taulupe Faletau, Aaron Wainwright, Nicky Smith and Tommy Reffell
Wales Online
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Stormers v Cardiff Live: Team news, kick-off time and TV details
Cardiff aim to seal a United Rugby Championship play-off spot for the first time as they take on the Stormers in Cape Town. The Blue and Blacks head into the final game of the season just outside the top eight - ninth by virtue of wins and points difference - but know a win on Friday evening would secure a play-off place. Lose and they'd be relying on results elsewhere - with Munster, Benetton and Edinburgh all in action tonight. Matt Sherratt makes five changes from the side that lost to the Bulls in Pretoria last week. No. 8 Taulupe Faletau, lock Teddy Williams, prop Danny Southworth and half-backs Aled Davies and Callum Sheedy all start. Kick-off is 6pm UK time, with the match being broadcast on BBC 2 and Premier Sports 1, or you can follow the match on our live blog below. Stormers: Damian Willemse; Suleiman Hartzenberg, Wandisile Simelane, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas; Manie Libbok, Herschel Jantjies; Sti Sithole, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat (capt), JD Schickerling, Dave Ewers, Louw Nel, Marcel Theunissen. Replacements: Scarra Ntubeni, Vernon Matongo, Sazi Sandi, Connor Evans, Paul de Villiers, Paul de Wet, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ben Loader. Cardiff: Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Gabriel Hamer-Webb; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Danny Southworth, Evan Lloyd, Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally (capt), Teddy Williams, Alun Lawrence, Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: Dafydd Hughes, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Johan Mulder, Rory Jennings. Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR) Live updates below:
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Faletau starts for Cardiff in URC play-off bid
United Rugby Championship: Stormers v CardiffVenue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town Date: Friday, 16 May Kick off: 18:00 BSTCoverage: Scrum V Live BBC Two Wales and iPlayer; also watch and live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. Highlights on the BBC Sport website and app. Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau returns to Cardiff's starting side against Stormers in Cape Town as the Welsh side aim to seal a United Rugby Championship (URC) play-off 34, impressed after coming off the replacements bench in the 45-21 defeat against Bulls in is one of five Cardiff changes with lock Teddy Williams, prop Danny Southworth and half-backs Aled Davies and Callum Sheedy starting. Alun Lawrence switches from number eight to Josh McNally captains the side in the absence of injured hooker Liam Africa fly-half Manie Libbok returns from injury for Stormers, with fellow Springbok Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu primed to come on from the replacements bench. Cardiff are just outside the top eight - ninth by virtue of wins and points difference - but know a win in Cape Town would definitely extend their Matt Sherratt's side will be aware that two losing bonus points might still get them over the line, the coach only has victory on his mind."We feel it's a must-win game in terms of getting in that top eight," said Sherratt."It's going to be a tough ask but we spoke to the players around not trying to creep in, let's win a game and get in there rather than hope other teams didn't get what they needed."We spoke about what we were going to need to guarantee the playoffs and we actually called it a fight for 50 points."At the start of the year we were saying if we were in the final round and had a game to get in the play-offs, we would snatch your hand-off."Cardiff have suffered a difficult season off the field after going into temporary administration in April before being taken over by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU)."It'd be brilliant if Cardiff reach the play-offs," said Sherratt."I don't think they have ever been there before and for the club with the history and the potential, we should be getting into the top eight."I'm proud of the staff and the players this year after our budget actually decreased this year from last year."So to get the improvements we have, where we've doubled the amount of games we've won, got the most bonus point tries we've scored and turned tight losses into wins, it would be the icing on the cake to push into the top eight." Cardiff's only victory in their last five away league matches was against Ospreys on Judgement Day at Principality side have won just one of their past four matches in South Africa and that was against Sharks 12 months have played Stormers on three previous occasions, with all matches going in favour of the home are fifth in the URC table and have already confirmed their play-off place, although they cannot gain a home tie by finishing in the top South African side have lost just one of their last six league games and have suffered only one home defeat this season. Stormers: Damian Willemse; Suleiman Hartzenberg, Wandisile Simelane, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas; Manie Libbok, Herschel Jantjies; Sti Sithole, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat (capt), JD Schickerling, Dave Ewers, Louw Nel, Marcel Scarra Ntubeni, Vernon Matongo, Sazi Sandi, Connor Evans, Paul de Villiers, Paul de Wet, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ben Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Gabriel Hamer-Webb; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Danny Southworth, Evan Lloyd, Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally (capt), Teddy Williams, Alun Lawrence, Alex Mann, Taulupe Dafydd Hughes, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Johan Mulder, Rory Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs & Hanru van Rooyen (SARU)TMO: Andrea Piardi (FIR).
