Wales boosted by trio as South Africans go on charge

Taulupe Faletau, Jac Morgan and Elliot Dee all played for Wales at the 2023 World Cup [Rex Features (left and right) and Getty Images (middle)] The positivity continued for Steve Tandy a week after the end of the Six Nations with the return of three experienced Wales players. There were green shoots for Welsh rugby – and a long-awaited win – at the end of the championship and the return of the United Rugby Championship (URC) provided more good news. Number eight Taulupe Faletau, flanker Jac Morgan and hooker Elliot Dee made comebacks from injury on what was ultimately a disappointing weekend.

They all suffered defeats with Cardiff, Ospreys and Dragons with Scarlets the only Welsh winners. BBC Sport Wales has a look back at round 13 of the URC. Woodman hungry for Wales action after first call-up Wolfhounds defeat Thunder to set up Clovers final Tandy given experienced options Jac Morgan made his second Ospreys appearance of the season at Benetton [Huw Evans Agency] Flanker Alex Mann, number eight Aaron Wainwright and hooker Dewi Lake were leading lights for Wales in the Six Nations, but Tandy will welcome more competition.

Morgan is arguably Wales' only world-class player and the Lions forward showed his quality on Saturday. After being out since a dislocated left shoulder in November, the 26-year-old was straight into the fray off the bench for Ospreys at Benetton. Morgan produced a textbook jackal on his line to win a crucial breakdown penalty, although his efforts were not enough in a costly defeat.

Italy boss Gonzalo Quesada watched on at Stadio Monigo and Tandy was no doubt keeping track back home. The Gloucester-bound flanker will be desperate to finish strongly at Ospreys before rejoining his country this summer. Faletau was named in Tandy's first squad, but missed the autumn campaign with a knee injury, then suffered a calf issue ahead of the Six Nations.