TAULUPE FALETAU’S COMEBACK GAME ENDS IN DISASTER AS INJURY STRIKES AGAIN

Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau’s return to action for club side Cardiff ended in disaster on Friday evening when he suffered an injury in the first half against Ulster.

The talismanic back-row had been named in the Cardiff starting line-up for the first time this season having returned from a broken arm he sustained playing for Wales in 2023.

Faletau suffered that injury against Georgia during the Rugby World Cup and had spent over six months on the sidelines ahead of his comeback game at Kingspan Stadium.

Cruel blow

However, his return was unfortunately cut short when he left the field against Ulster in the 30th minute, clutching his left wrist in what appears to be another arm injury.

After a brief discussion with Cardiff‘s medical professionals the 33-year-old made his way straight down the tunnel as his evening was cut short in another cruel setback.

The incident happened when Faletau was attempting to secure his team possession at the ruck after replacement full-back Jacob Beetham rose to claim a testing high ball.

But the Wales and British & Irish Lions player was subsequently met by two Ulster forwards, lock Harry Sheridan and hooker Tom Stewart, whose impact hit his arm.

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Faletau was then left on the ground and once he got to his feet he could be seen holding his arm as Cardiff had to bring on Mackenzie Martin for their star forward.

At that point in the game Cardiff were leading 7-3 after Theo Cabango had slipped through the Ulster defence to score an early try, converted by fly-half Tinus de Beer.

Cardiff lead

Nathan Doak struck back with a penalty for Ulster and then doubled his tally four minutes before the break, with the Welsh region hanging on for a half-time cushion.

Ulster went on to win the game 19-17 in controversial fashion thanks to a late John Cooney penalty after Cardiff prop Rhys Carre was penalised for a deliberate knock-on.

The defeat leaves Cardiff in 12th position on the United Rugby Championship table, 10 points off the sought after top eight spots, with several teams yet to play this weekend.

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2024-04-19T20:07:44Z dg43tfdfdgfd