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QUICK TAP: WALLABIES CONFIDENT WITH IMPROVED SCRUM

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Just how long he will be out of the game will be determined after his surgery, but he will not recover in time to play in the Cup.

Faletau had just recovered from a double arm fracture suffered while playing for Bath in the Premiership in October. That was the last time he played, and he missed all of Wales’ Six Nations campaign. He broke his right forearm against Exeter and a hairline fracture around a screw that had been used to attach a metal plate was found as he attempted a recovery in January.

Since playing on the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017 he has appeared only six times for Wales.

During the Swiss camp he looked on track to make a full recovery and had been heavily involved in all training. But it was after returning home that the setback occurred.

He said during the camp that he hoped his run of injuries had come to an end.

“I didn’t realise at the time but being away from rugby for that amount of time, the hunger is there more now. When you are doing it year in, year out, you take it for granted at times. When I get on the pitch, I hope I last longer than last time,” he said.

Wales are set to play their first warm-up match for the World Cup, against England at Twickenham on Sunday week.

Ross Moriarty is favoured to secure the No.8 role, especially as another contender, Josh Navidi is still recovering from a dislocated elbow.