# Faletau eyes 2027 World Cup push at 35

> Wales coach Steve Tandy backs veteran number eight Taulupe Faletau to pursue a fourth World Cup despite injury setbacks and age.
- Title: Faletau eyes 2027 World Cup push at 35 · BBC Sport | Shortify
- Summary: Wales coach Steve Tandy backs veteran number eight Taulupe Faletau to pursue a fourth World Cup despite injury setbacks and age. Wales head coach Steve Tandy…
- Keywords: taulupe faletau, wales rugby union, steve tandy, 2027 world cup, cardiff rugby, rugby union, sports, Faletau, eyes, 2027, World, Cup
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c62l4xggpnv4o
- Published: 2026-10-20T17:00:07.494+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: taulupe faletau, wales rugby union, steve tandy, 2027 world cup, cardiff rugby, rugby union, sports
## Faletau returns to action
Taulupe Faletau made his comeback from injury in Cardiff's Champions Cup defeat by Northampton on Sunday, playing fifty-five minutes against the English champions.
## Left out of Nations squad
The thirty-five-year-old was excluded from Wales' squad for the Nations Championship, remaining with Cardiff rather than seeking a first cap since facing Japan in summer twenty twenty-five.
## Tandy leaves door open
Wales head coach Steve Tandy said of Faletau: "He is a legend of our game and a world-class player, so we would definitely not rule anyone out."

> He is a legend of our game and a world-class player, so we would definitely not rule anyone out.
## Injury history complicates selection
Faletau has won one hundred nine Wales caps but has not played under Tandy. He suffered a knee injury for Cardiff and a calf issue that shelved a Six Nations call-up.
## World Cup experience and ambition
Faletau played at the two thousand eleven, two thousand fifteen and two thousand twenty-three World Cups but missed two thousand nineteen after breaking his collarbone.Tandy believes he has the drive to compete for twenty twenty-seven.
## Durability test ahead
Tandy said Faletau must show he can handle back-to-back games.The coach noted: "You have to be robust to play back-to-back games, which I'm hopeful Toby can do."

> You have to be robust to play back-to-back games, which I'm hopeful Toby can do.
## Key takeaway

Wales head coach Steve Tandy believes 35-year-old Taulupe Faletau remains motivated to play in the 2027 World Cup in Australia, though he must prove his durability after recent injuries.