![\"Taulupe](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_Faletau.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond<\/p>\n
Taulupe Faletau leaves the pitch<\/p>\n
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Saturday, March 28.<\/p>\n
Taulupe Faletau suffers cruel blow<\/p>\n
Cardiff<\/a> are sweating on the fitness of Wales legend Taulupe Faletau after he was forced off with an apparent shoulder injury in their defeat to the Sharks.<\/p>\n The No. 8 was making his first start since New Year’s Day, having endured an injury-hit campaign. A calf problem kept him out of the Six Nations<\/a>, with a knee injury preventing him from playing in the autumn.<\/p>\n The 35-year-old was going well, only to be forced off after 45 minutes. You can see how all the players rated here.<\/a><\/p>\n He left the pitch in Durban using his jersey as a temporary sling for his arm – begging the question whether he will feature in Cardiff’s remaining matches this season. Faletau’s future at the Welsh region beyond this season is unclear and this could yet prove to be his last appearance for Cardiff if the worst is confirmed.<\/p>\n The Wales legend has been beset by a series of cruel injuries in recent years, particularly arm issues. He suffered a broken arm in Wales’ World Cup victory against Georgia in October 2023, before fracturing his shoulder in his comeback match six months later.<\/p>\n The Blue and Blacks have five guaranteed matches left, plus whatever comes in the way of further knockout matches in the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup.<\/p>\n As well as Faletau, Cardiff lost second-row Josh McNally and prop Corey Domachowski in the first-half to injury.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was tough to lose those players early on and that put us under pressure,\u201d said Cardiff coach Corniel Van Zyl. \u201cThere were two actions we probably could have dealt with better and they ended up scoring twice.<\/p>\n \u201cThe pressure of those early changes meant we couldn\u2019t bring fresh legs at the end, and that makes a difference in a tight game like that. It was close at the end, but we just came up short.\u201d<\/p>\n Cardiff set for English invasion<\/p>\n Around 50,000 English rugby supporters are expected to take over Cardiff’s Principality Stadium today as Bristol Bears play Harlequins at the iconic rugby venue.<\/p>\n Bristol bring a top Gallagher Prem clash to the Wesh capital for the second year running after the success of last year’s first ‘Big Day Out’ occasion against Bath.<\/p>\n Louis Rees-Zammit starts for Bristol at full-back, with former Wales under-20s star Aidan Boshoff named on the wing.<\/p>\n There is also strong Welsh interest in the Harlequins team, with Jarrod Evans starting at outside-half and rising young talent Bryn Bradley at 12. The match kicks off at 3.30pm at the Principality.<\/p>\n Bristol: Rees-Zammit; Ravouvou, Moroni, Williams, Boshoff; Jordan, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Kloska; Dun, Owen, Luatua, Harding (c), S. Grondona.<\/p>\n Replacements: Gwilliam, Woolmore, Chawatama, Taylor, B. Grondona, Marmion, Janse van Rensburg, Ibitoye.<\/p>\n Harlequins: Benson; Isgro, Murley, Bradley, David; Evans, Townsend; Kerrod, Walker, Jones; Treadwell, Williams, Petti Pagadizabal, Kenningham, Dombrant (c).<\/p>\n Replacements: Riley, Hobson, Delgado, Green, Carr, Driscoll, Grant, Kerr.<\/p>\n International accused of jersey scam<\/p>\n A current Tonga international has been accused of scamming people out of money through the sale of match-worn jerseys.<\/p>\n Tau Koloamatangi, who has played for Waikato, Otago and Super Rugby outfit Moana Pasifika, has been accused of taking payment for the sale of jerseys before ceasing any contact with buyers. The former New Zealand U20s international has reportedly been listing jerseys for sale through social media and online marketplace websites.<\/p>\n