Taulupe Faletau

Tangaki Taulupe Faletau became the first Pacific Islander to play for Wales in 2011 against the Barbarians. He moved to Wales aged seven when his father, 17-times capped Tongan international lock Kuli Faletau, joined Ebbw Vale.

Faletau was first called up to the Wales senior squad on 1 November 2010 following the withdrawal of Ryan Jones and Rob McCusker. The following year he was the only player to start all seven of Wales’ games in the Rugby World Cup where he was the tournaments top tackler and ball carrier, the first time a single player has ever topped both tables. He was the only player to start all seven of Wales’ games.

He was a Grand Slam winner in the 2012 Six Nations Championship campaign, and following an excellent championship in 2013, he was named in the squad for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

He continued to star at international level for Wales and was selected for the British and Irish Lions for their 2017 tour to New Zealand where he featured in all three Tests against the All Blacks.

He became the 131st player to captain Wales when leading the side out against Italy in the
fifth round of the 2018 Six Nations Championship.