Dragons back row star Toby Faletau has revealed his commitment to the Men of Gwent’s cause ahead of Sunday’s LV Cup clash with Gloucester at Kingsholm.
Faletau returned to Dragons colours in Cork last weekend after a period on the sidelines with an ankle injury but he declared he wouldn’t be fazed by the challenge of the Cherry and Whites on Sunday.
“Sunday is just another game for me,” he said. “It would be great to win but that’s how I feel about every game.
“I don’t really think about the opposition. We’ve got some really good back row players so I’m just pleased to be in the team.”
The son of Ebbw Vale and Tonga lock Kuli Faletau, 20 year old Toby has been one of the standout performers so far this season, winning a call up to Warren Gatland’s Six Nations squad with the World Cup potentially beckoning before injury intervened.
“It was a bit of a blow,” admitted Faletau. “But I’ve got to play for the Dragons first and hopefully play well. It would be great to play in the World Cup. Everybody would like to play in it.”
Those eye-catching displays for the Dragons have attracted the interest of all and sundry in recent times, including several clubs.
Faletau however, paid tribute to the Dragons and declared that his only interest was to become a better player.
He added: “With the Dragons, they brought me through and gave me the opportunity. I’ve played number eight mostly but I’ll play wherever - there are a lot of good back-rowers here. I’ve got to get better in the line-out and work a bit harder.
“I just play. I just give it a go. You don’t think about what’s in front of you.”
Dragons Acting Head Coach Darren Edwards heaped praise on the youngster for his professional attitude.
“Toby’s a model player,” said Edwards.” He’s responsive to whatever environment he’s in and just gets on with it. I asked him who he’d played against after the Toulouse game and he didn’t know – it just doesn’t affect him – he just loves being on the pitch playing rugby.
“He certainly won’t be fazed on Sunday which is great. Some players get a bit over-awed by the occasion but he really doesn’t. This is the guy who in one of his first senior games lined up against Jerry Collins and made him look ordinary.”
