Wales must 'pick up their game' for World Cup: Sir Gareth Edwards
Wales must ‘pick up their game’ if they’re to compete at the Rugby World Cup, insists Sir Gareth Edwards… with Taulupe Faletau’s injury withdrawal from Turkey training camp the latest setback to their preparations
- Wales must ‘pick up their game’ amid setbacks, says legend Sir Gareth Edwards
- Taulupe Faletau has been left out of Wales’ Turkey camp with injury concerns
- The No 8 will not play in the World Cup warm-up against England on August 5
Wales great Sir Gareth Edwards has urged Warren Gatland’s class of 2023 to up their game if they are to stand a chance at the World Cup after Taulupe Faletau emerged as an injury concern.
No 8 Faletau is a certain starter for Wales at the tournament in France if fit, but today he was left out of his team’s Turkey training camp.
The 32-year-old was a late arrival to Wales’ trip to Switzerland earlier this month due to a combination of his third child being born and a calf problem.
Wales confirmed that Faletau will not travel to Turkey next week and won’t feature in their first World Cup warm-up clash with England on August 5 due to the fitness issue.
‘Wales really have got to start picking up their game to give everybody confidence,’ Wales and Lions icon Edwards told Mail Sport.
Sir Gareth Edwards urged Wales to up their game as Taulupe Faletau became an injury concern
Faletau, front, would be a nailed-on starter was left out of Wales’ Turkey training camp today
‘Wales are the sort of side that needs every one of its class players in the team. I watched New Zealand on Saturday – they have 30 players who could turn up for them and they’re still looking good. This is what plays a huge part in competitions – it’s about filling those gaps when you don’t have your best side out.’
With less than two months to go until the World Cup, Faletau’s fitness is a worry for Gatland given the lack of other options Wales have at No 8.
Aaron Wainwright and rookie Taine Plumtree can play at the back of the scrum but Faletau – a three-time Lions tourist – is undisputed first choice.
He still has time to recover and Gatland will be praying he does so.
Wales finished fifth in the Six Nations in Gatland’s first campaign back in charge and endured a torrid campaign on and off the field.
‘He’s not just experienced, he’s an exceptional player,’ Edwards said of Faletau. ‘It’s another question mark we could do without.
‘I’d like to think we would have a side capable of taking other teams on and beating them. We need confidence in the team. It’s little things like injuries to key personnel that dampens the spirit a little bit. But Wales have shown before they can upset the odds and I’d be delighted if that’s the case again.’
Wales head coach Warren Gatland said his team need ‘confidence’ amidst a spate of absences
In Gatland’s first campaign back in charge, Wales finished fifth in the Six Nations this year
After completing a gruelling camp at altitude in Switzerland, Gatland has named 43 players in his squad for Turkey. Backs Alex Cuthbert, Joe Roberts and Owen and Johnny Williams also won’t travel to the training camp and won’t face England even if they remain in World Cup contention.
Gatland said: ‘We’re really pleased with how our two-week training camp has gone in Switzerland. The players worked extremely hard and made really good progress.
‘As well as having the natural benefits from living at high altitude, players experienced temperatures in the mid-to late thirties (degrees centigrade) during our on-pitch sessions which will be good preparation for our next camp in Turkey.
‘The 43 players travelling to Turkey are all available for selection for the first match against England on August 5. Those not travelling remain in our wider training squad and will join back up with us on our return to Wales.
‘We’ve decided to keep a larger group in our squad as we prepare for our summer series matches. We know injuries unfortunately can be picked up along the way, so it’s important to ensure that as wide a number of players as possible are up to speed with our plans.’
Wales play England home and away and also host South Africa in their three World Cup warm-up games. Gatland will then confirm his final 33-man party for the tournament.
Wales previously updated that Owen Williams and Cuthbert did not travel to Switzerland for personal reasons.
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