Faletau out of autumn Tests as Wales call Cracknell

Due to a knee injury, Wales lost veteran number eight Taulupe Faletau for their autumn series.

Tigers of Leicester uncapped Olly Cracknell, 31, has taken the place of the 23-year-old British and Irish Lions forward.

Four minutes into Cardiff’s victory over Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday, Faletau fell off.

Steve Tandy, head coach for Wales, described the loss of the 109-cap back row as “hugely disappointing” and said it will be “hugely disappointing.”

Because Toby is a world-class player, he said, “It’s incredibly disappointing to lose him to injury.”

However, Olly has been a fantastic player for Leicester, and we are excited to add him to the team.

Cracknell, a former Ospreys player, has made an impressive comeback for the Tigers in recent years and was chosen ahead of Ospreys’ Ross Moriarty.

Along with captain Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright, Morgan Morse, and Taine Plumtree, are competing for the top spot in Wales.

Forwards

The following are the names of Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Adam Beard (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Brodie Coghlan (Dragons), Christian Coleman (Dragons), Olly Cracknell (Tigers of Leicester), James Fender (Ospreys), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Jac Morgan

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