Taulupe Faletau will make his long-awaited return to action this weekend, providing Welsh coach Wayne Pivac with a welcome Christmas present ahead of the Six Nations.
Lions No 8 Faletau hasn’t played a game of rugby since January, while his last appearance for Wales was way back in March 2018.
He’s endured an injury-ravaged last 18 months, twice fracturing his arm and then breaking his collar bone this summer, ruling him out of the World Cup in Japan.
It’s been a long road back for the 29-year-old, but now the wait is over, with his inclusion in the Bath back row for Saturday's Gallagher Premiership clash with Sale at The Rec.
Fingers will be firmly crossed that Faletau comes through unscathed, as he could certainly do with a change of fortune.
Having him fit again will be a huge boost for new Wales coach Pivac as he plots the defence of the Grand Slam.
With Josh Navidi and Ross Moriarty having both just returned to action after post-World Cup injury lay-offs, the competition in the back row is set to be intense come the Six Nations.
Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright and Aaron Shingler are also in the mix, along with rookies Ollie Griffiths, Taine Basham and Shane Lewis-Hughes, who were included in Pivac’s first squad for the Barbarians game.
Then there are the likes of James Davies and Ellis Jenkins who are working their way back from injury, as well as Wasps flanker Thomas Young and the vastly experienced Dan Lydiate.
Faletau is joined in the Bath back row by another returning international in Springboks star Francois Louw, with Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts in the back division and fellow Welshman Aled Brew on the bench.
