Wales tour of Australia
Wales hit by Faletau injury blow
ESPN Staff
June 10, 2012
Wales forwards Toby Faletau and Paul James trudge from the field, Australia v Wales, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia, June 9, 2012
Toby Faletau will fly home due to a hand injury © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Gareth Delve | Taulupe Faletau
Tournaments/Tours: Wales tour
Teams: Australia | Wales

Wales have suffered a major injury blow prior to their second Test against Australia, with No.8 Toby Faletau set to fly home due to a hand injury.

The Dragons back-row - an ever present during their march to a Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year - broke a bone in his hand during Wales' 27-19 loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday.

Acting head coach Rob Howley has called up Gareth Delve - skipper of the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby franchise - as cover and the former Gloucester No.8 has been named on the bench for Tuesday's tour match against the Brumbies in Canberra.

George North (haematoma) and Scott Williams (facial laceration) will also receive treatment this week, although the Wales management remain optimistic that both will feature next weekend.

Howley has named a strong side to face the Brumbies, with Luke Charteris, Alun-Wyn Jones and James Hook all backing up after playing roles in Saturday's Test loss. Jones skippers the side, which also contains Harry Robinson on the wing, Ashley Beck in the centres and Justin Tipuric at openside.

Ospreys lock Ian Evans has also been named among the replacements after joining the tour party late following his wedding.

"We are a game down, but we still have all to play for in this series and Tuesday night is the perfect opportunity for this squad of players to move on," Howley said.

"We have one or two bumps and bruises and we are expecting players to 'back-up' after playing a tough Test match and go out there 72 hours later and play for their country. But that is exactly what touring is all about. It will be a test of character for the likes of Luke, James and Alun-Wyn, who all made significant contributions on Saturday."

Brumbies boss Jake White has included a number of front-line players in his side for the game, with Robbie Coleman at fullback and Ita Vaea, Colby Faingaa and Peter Kimlin comprising the back-row. Wallabies squad member Jesse Mogg starts from the bench.

Wales: L Williams (Scarlets); H Robinson (Cardiff Blues), A Bishop (Ospreys), A Beck (Ospreys), A Brew (Biarritz), J Hook (Perpignan), R Webb (Ospreys); P James (Bath), R Hibbard (Ospreys), R Jones (Scarlets), AW Jones (Ospreys, capt), L Charteris (Perpignan), R Turnbull (Scarlets), J Tipuric (Ospreys), A Shingler (Scarlets)

Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), R Gill (Saracens), I Evans (Ospreys), G Delve (Melbourne Rebels), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Priestland (Scarlets), A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)

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