Wales hopeful on experienced forward's return
INJURY UPDATE: Wales will be banking on the experienced Taulupe Faletau and Aaron Wainwright to be fit ahead of their Six Nations clash against Italy this weekend.
Warren Gatland lost Owen Watkin and Aaron Wainwright during the 0-43 defeat to France in the opening round of the Six Nations.
The 27-year-old Wainwright left the pitch merely four minutes into the match following a blow to the head but didn’t suffer any fractures or concussion.
The experienced Taulupe Faletau missed the clash against France due to a knee niggle.
“We are still monitoring them and hopeful, and in the next sort of 24 hours we can make a definite decision on that,” said Wales forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys.
Centre Owen Watkin has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to a serious knee injury he suffered against France that will require surgery.
No.8 Aaron Wainwright was feared to have a fractured cheekbone but just suffered a nasty gash.
“The main issue was a fracture,” said Humphreys.
“He doesn’t have that fracture, so we are pretty hopeful he will be available.
“He had an unbelievable gash in terms of you could see his teeth through that.
“That’s the thing for us. He’s a tough kid and he’s like ‘I’ll be all right, they can just stitch me back up’, but it’s a pretty bad gash.
“He’s got eight days to turn around [between games] so we are hopeful, especially since he’s desperate to play.”
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Faletau has not played a Test since Wales’ last victory which came in the 2023 World Cup against Georgia.
Wales are currently on a 13-match losing streak which includes seven consecutive Six Nations defeats.
The loss to France was the first time Wales failed to record a score in a tournament match since 1998, while it’s 18 years since they previously finished scoreless in a 0-31 loss to Australia in 2007.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland is due to name his side on Thursday.
With additional reporting by BBC
