Faletau, Morgan-Williams Push for Wales Spots Before Tuesday

Taulupe Faletau and Reuben Morgan-Williams delivered the performances Steve Tandy needed to see before naming his Nations Championship squad on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Both returned from injury or bench roles to produce standout club displays this weekend, forcing their way back into contention as Wales prepares for November Tests against Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

The 109-cap number eight played just under an hour for Cardiff in a losing Champions Cup effort at Northampton. It was his first competitive appearance since March. Faletau logged 65 meters on eight carries in the opening half and stopped opposite number Callum Chick short of the try line. He exited after driving hard off a scrum base. Tandy had selected him for the 2025 autumn internationals before a knee injury intervened. The two worked together during the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021.

Cardiff wing Josh Adams also returned, playing the final quarter. The 31-year-old was denied a certain try by covering defender George Hendy. Adams finished a strong 2026 Six Nations campaign earlier this year. Cardiff faces Sharks at the Arms Park and Ospreys at St Helen’s in upcoming United Rugby Championship fixtures if the national coaching staff decides either player requires more minutes before international duty.

While Tomos Williams is expected to start at scrum-half against Japan on Saturday, Nov. 7, the backup role remains unresolved. Kieran Hardy suffered an injury against Dragons. That prompted speculation about coaxing retired Scarlets veteran Gareth Davies back into the setup. Morgan-Williams, 28, made his first start of the season for Ospreys against Black Lion in Tbilisi. He threw a pass past three defenders to set up hooker Lewis Lloyd for a try, made two clean breaks, carried 11 times for 77 meters and left the field with 30 minutes remaining. He last appeared off the bench for Wales during a summer Test in South Africa. Dragons prospect Che Hope could also receive a call-up to provide depth.

Dragons beat Perpignan in Newport on Friday, a victory built on defensive volume. Blind-side flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes recorded 27 tackles. Wales contact coach Dan Lydiate attended Dragons training last week. Lock Ben Carter, tight-head prop Dillon Lewis and hooker Elliot Dee remain the most likely Dragons selections. Aneurin Owen, who turns 26 on Monday, won man of the match honors at inside center. He forced two turnovers and carried heavily. Owen trained with the national squad under Wayne Pivac in the summer of 2021 but has never been capped. An injury to Ben Thomas could open a spot at the No. 12 jersey.

“Aneurin knows I love him,” Dragons boss Filo Tiatia said. “He has outstanding leadership and there is lots more to come from him. He wants to improve, is coachable and is strong at challenging the coaches.”

Scarlets routed Newcastle Red Bulls, though fly-half Sam Costelow left at halftime with a hamstring issue that director of rugby Nigel Davies called a precaution. Wing Macs Page scored twice in his 50th appearance for the club. Ellis Mee earned player-of-the-match honors. Flanker Josh Macleod forced four or five turnovers, according to Davies, continuing a run as the region’s leading forward this season. Back-rower Taine Plumtree played his first game following shoulder surgery.

Wales opens the Nations Championship against Japan in Cardiff before facing New Zealand and Australia. A final fixture against a southern hemisphere opponent follows at Twickenham. Players selected from Scarlets are unlikely to travel to South Africa for URC matches against Stormers and Bulls on Tuesday, as the national squad convenes next Monday.