Taulupe Faletau

Talupe Faletau joined Bath Rugby for the start of the 2016/17 season.

The British and Irish Lion moved to the West Country from Newport Gwent Dragons, the Welsh region for whom he made his professional debut in 2009. In 2011, he became the first Pacific Islander to play for Wales, having moved there from Tonga at the age of seven. He has since made 66 international appearances, during which time he has reached a Rugby World Cup semi-final and quarter-final, won three Six Nations Championship titles (including two Grand Slams) and a British and Irish Lions Test Series victory in Australia.  

Faletau – who goes by the name ‘Toby’ – spent part of his education at Filton College, where he was spotted by Dragons as part of the Bristol Academy of Sport. One of the most exciting back row players in the world game, Faletau starred for Wales throughout their impressive 2015 Rugby World campaign. 

Despite an injury-disrupted 2016/17 season, the Welsh international ended the season in impressive form picking up the Premiership's Player of the Month award for April. This was followed by a call-up for his second tour with the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand.