Taulupe Faletau marked his return to action with a fine display and Bath coach Todd Blackadder expects him to be fit and firing for the start of the 2019 Guinness Six Nations.
The Wales back-rower started at blindside flanker in Bath’s win over Wasps in Europe, playing a key role in the opening try as he broke from deep before offloading to Max Green for a try.
Now with the opening game of the Championship just three weeks away, when Wales will travel to Paris to take on France on February 1, Blackadder expects Faletau to play a big role.
He said: “They know he’s a class player. He looks spot-on now.
“He’s been training as he always does. He just grows another arm and a leg when he gets out there on the field!
“He looked great, didn’t he? Really sharp. If only we could have given him more ball.
“I have to give a big pat on the back to our strength and conditioning staff, for the work they do behind the scenes in getting the guys ready.
“Before the game, he (Faletau) was really, really nervous. But it’s good to see those nerves from an experienced guy like him.”
After Faletau’s return this week, another international could be back from injury for next week’s trip to Toulouse with Jonathan Joseph nearing a return to action.
The centre has not played since last April, but could come into the side in France provided he comes through training this week.
With Eddie Jones set to name his England squad on Thursday, it seems unlikely that Joseph would be included. However he could come into contention later in the Championship if he can prove his fitness.
“If he can get through some ‘big load’ days in training next week, he could be good to go,” added Blackadder.
“He trained really well this week and is looking very sharp.”
