1 week Ago By [email protected] (Glen Williams, Tom Coleman)
Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Friday, December 13. Falletau inching closer to return Wales No. 8 Taulupe Faletau is back in full training as he nears his return for Cardiff .
The Lions star hasn't played since April, when he broke his shoulder minutes into his comeback appearance - having broken his arm against Georgia in last year's World Cup in October. The road back to playing has been a lengthy one for the 34-year-old, but it appears a return is now in sight - even if it's seemingly unlikely to come this weekend in Cardiff's Challenge Cup clash with the Cheetahs. "Toby is a big discussion in the past few months," said Cardiff forwards coach Corniel van Zyl ahead of the clash with his former side.
"He's back in full training. "We'll see when we release him to play. Not necessarily this weekend.
He needs time obviously." Faletau, along with Josh Adams, did spend time training with Wales this autumn as they both recovered from long-term injuries. Wing Adams has since made his return, boosting Cardiff's injury-hit stocks out wide.
Uncapped Page impressed Wales team-mates Scarlets youngster Macs Page impressed Wales players after being invited to train with the senior team during the Autumn Nations Series campaign. Warren Gatland invited the 19-year-old centre to train with the players in order for him to gain valuable experience, with the Wales U20s star having been earmarked as a future senior international by many. Discussing Page on the most recent Sportin Wales podcast, Wales internationals Alex Cuthbert and Josh Adams were suitably impressed by what they had heard and seen respectively.
"Macs Page is exciting," Cuthbert said. Adams chipped in by saying, "Macs Page is good. He trained (with Wales) in the autumn.
" "I heard he carved up training," Cuthbert enquired. "He was sharp," Adams replied. "A sharp young man and he can move.
He played a bit of wing prior and then he moved into the centre." Former Wales captain Ellis Jenkins believes the return of Page's Scarlets team-mate is equally as encouraging, for both club and country. "I think Joe Roberts coming back could be big for Scarlets and probably for Wales as well," he said.
"He was just making his way into the team and playing well, but he picked up a big injury and has been out for a long time. Particularly with someone who relies on his pace, it'll be interesting to see how he settles back into that and how much of an affect that injury has on him. "I like Eddie (James) as well.
He is a big boy. They've got a couple of good options. Because Johnny (Williams) is very good for Scarlets and makes a big difference for them.
" Get the latest breaking news sent directly to your phone with our free WhatsApp service here. Former Newport star suffers stroke Former Newport star and Fiji international Simon Raiwalu has revealed he suffered a stroke that left him hospitalised for two months. The ex-Fiji coach and current director of performance at the Australian side the Waratahs revealed the incident happened just days before his 50th birthday back in September.
Speaking to The Roar , he said: “I was at work and I was at a meeting with Paul Doorn and Peter Horne and I just started slurring. I could tell that something was wrong. I didn’t feel bad, but I just felt there was something.
I pride myself on my speech and being able to explain myself and I couldn’t get it out. “Pete said, ‘Are you alright? You might want to go see the doctor.’ “I went down to the team doctor and he said, ‘Let’s get you to a hospital, I think you’re having a stroke.
’ “I ended up staying in hospital for two months.” Fortunately, Raiwalu has made a recovery since suffering the stroke, adding: “It was quite a shock to just be in hospital for so long. I wasn’t the best patient, and my wife will tell you that, and the doctors will tell you that.
“I was very stubborn, and I left hospital early and I went back to work early. They didn’t want me to go back to work, but I couldn’t help myself really. “But I’ve been good, and the Waratahs have been brilliant.
They haven’t rushed me. I went back for a little bit and then they said to come into Rugby Australia and do a little bit. Peter Horne’s been brilliant.
“Rugby Australia and the Waratahs have been brilliant and allowing me to come back at my own pace. There’s some great people in Rugby Australia at the moment that are really looking after me.” The former second-row played for Newport RFC between 2000 and 2002 after leaving Sale Sharks.
He later went on to represent Saracens and Racing Metro 92. Tindall pays tribute to Voyce as body found in search Mike Tindall has paid tribute to former England teammate Tom Voyce, who is feared dead after his car was swept away trying to cross a river ford during Storm Darragh. A body has since been found in the search for the 43-year-old, who had been trying to cross Abberwick Ford over the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland, before his car was swept away with the current on Saturday night.
In an Instagram statement shared by the The Good The Bad & The Rugby podcast, Tindall said: "He epitomised rugby as a game for all shapes and sizes, punching well above his weight. "His ability to break tackles and his durability were exceptional. He was a great character off the pitch.
" James Haskell added: "He was a teammate, a friend, and an incredible player. Someone I admired who always punched above his weight. "He will be sorely missed by everybody.
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