Wales number eight Faletau signs new Cardiff deal

Wales number 8 Taulupe Faletau has signed a caller woody to enactment astatine Cardiff.

Faletau, 34, was retired of statement astatine nan extremity of nan play astatine nan Arms Park.

Cardiff, who were taken complete by nan Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) successful April aft temporarily going into administration, person announced Faletau is staying for a 4th season.

Faletau has been named successful Wales' squad for nan 2 Test circuit of Japan successful July which is being led by his Cardiff leader Matt Sherratt successful his domiciled arsenic interim caput coach.

The number 8 will person not fixed up dream of being called up for a 4th British and Irish Lions circuit having not been named successful nan first touring statement to Australia.

Faletau has played 108 internationals for Wales and 5 Tests for nan Lions.

"I'm happy to beryllium staying pinch Cardiff and continuing to play my rugby present astatine home," said Faletau.

"Being portion of this group of players has been amazing. There's a bully vibe connected and disconnected nan pitch, and I really bask moving pinch Jockey [Matt Sherratt]. His insights and support person challenged maine to turn and improve.

"I'm grateful for nan continued opportunity and looking guardant to what's shaping up to beryllium an breathtaking twelvemonth ahead."

Faletau, who started his profession pinch Dragons, has been constricted to conscionable 23 appearances for Cardiff successful 3 years since his move from Bath.

A surgery limb suffered successful nan 2023 World Cup against Georgia was followed by a fractured enarthrosis connected his nine return successful April 2024 against Ulster.

Faletau has had a tally of games successful caller months and has been fantabulous successful nan 2nd half of nan season.

"We are delighted to beryllium capable to support Taulupe astatine Cardiff and successful Wales," said Sherratt.

"He is simply a highly respected personnel of our squad and has shown precocious nan value he brings to nan pitch.

"He is 1 of very fewer players who has existent value successful each facet of nan game.

"He is undoubtedly 1 of nan top players to propulsion connected a Cardiff garment and nan reddish garment of Wales and we are delighted he is staying pinch us.

"Taulupe and his family are settled successful Cardiff and this played a large portion successful him agreeing a caller contract."