Wales recall Taulupe Faletau after recovery from injury

Bath backrow joins up with squad after ankle issue to replace injured Christ Tshiunza

Taulupe Faletau has rejoined the Welsh swuad. Photograph:  Lorenzo Di Cola/Getty Images
Taulupe Faletau has rejoined the Welsh swuad. Photograph: Lorenzo Di Cola/Getty Images

Bath's Taulupe Faletau has been called up to the Wales squad ahead of Saturday's Guinness Six Nations meeting with England.

The backrow forward, who will be available for the remainder of the tournament including matches against France and Italy, replaces Exeter Chiefs’ Christ Tshiunza, who was previously released back to his club following a hamstring injury.

Faletau, who won the last of his 86 caps almost a year ago, has only just returned from seven months out with an ankle injury but has proved his fitness with outings against Wasps and Leicester in the Gallagher Premiership.

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac is currently without the likes of Faletau’s fellow British and Irish Lions Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Ken Owens and Justin Tipuric through injuries.