The forward returns to Wales' squad after playing 80 minutes for Bath in Saturday's Premiership game with Leicester Tigers; the 31-year-old has not played for Wales since last year's Six Nations due to injury; Wales take on England at Twickenham on Saturday
Monday 21 February 2022 13:42, UK
Taulupe Faletau has joined Wales' for the remainder of the Six Nations, while Gregor Townsend has added six players to his Scotland squad and Leinster pair James Lowe and Jimmy O'Brien have been drafted in for Ireland.
Faletau won the last of his 86 international caps almost a year ago, however, he played 80 minutes for Bath against Leicester Tigers on Saturday.
The match marked his first full game after a prolonged period out. Faletau had been hampered by a leg injury since the second Test of the British and Irish Lions' tour to South Africa.
"It was a rolled ankle, and I probably ran back too early and just had issues with my calves for a rolling two weeks that ended up being seven months," he said about his injury.
"It was a rolling two weeks for a long time, then I would get to the end of that two weeks, I would run again and it would ping again. It was basically that for the whole time.
"I am just enjoying getting out there, whether it's Bath or Wales. Whatever it is, I just want to enjoy the games because seven months out wasn't fun."
Wales face England at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday off the back of a gritty 20-17 victory over Scotland at the Principality Stadium in Round Two.
Faletau's arrival adds experience to a Wales squad that is currently without fellow British and Irish Lions Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Ken Owens and Justin Tipuric due to injuries.
He replaces the injured Christ Tshiunz, who was released back to Exeter Chiefs following a hamstring injury.
Wayne Pivac will announce his team to play England on Thursday at 12pm and Eddie Jones will have named his squad 30 minutes prior.
Uncapped Glasgow second-row Kiran McDonald is one of six players added to Townsend's Scotland squad for this Saturday's clash with France at Murrayfield.
James Lang, Ollie Smith, Oli Kebble, Simon Berghan and Marshall Sykes have also been called up.
Rory Sutherland, Javan Sebastian, Jonny Gray, Scott Cummings and Cam Redpath have all returned to their clubs due to injury issues.
Townsend has challenged the newly-added players to capitalise on their opportunity to impress.
"While it is disappointing to lose players to injury ahead of the France match, this is a great opportunity for the new players to impress and force their way into our matchday squad," he told Scottish Rugby.
"The attritional nature of the Guinness Six Nations means there are often changes made to the squad throughout the championship and it is a challenge we are much better equipped to deal with given our current squad depth.
"We wish those that have missed out through injury all the best in their rehabilitation, and we will continue to monitor their progress ahead of the final two games of the championship."
Leinster pair James Lowe and Jimmy O'Brien have been added to the Ireland squad ahead of their clash with Italy.
Lowe will be looking to add to his nine Ireland caps after missing the opening two rounds through injury, while uncapped O'Brien will be hoping to make his Ireland bow at the Aviva Stadium.
Andy Farrell's side claimed a bonus-point win over Wales in their Six Nations opener before losing away to France last time out.
