Faletau's Lions hopes as Lake set for Wales return

Men's Six Nations: Scotland v Wales

Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh Date: Saturday, 8 March Kick off: 16:45 GMT

Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC Sport website and app. Text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has not given up hope on a fourth British and Irish Lions tour this summer.

Wales are set to named an unchanged starting side for the first time since the 2019 World Cup when interim head coach Matt Sherratt unveils his team to play Scotland on Saturday in Edinburgh.

Hooker Dewi Lake is set to be the only alteration in the 23-man squad when he lines up on the replacements bench after recovering from injury, with Sherratt naming his line-up on Thursday.

Faletau has played just six games in 17 months but his display in the 27-18 defeat to Ireland in Cardiff proved his value to Wales and potentially the Lions.

Whether he makes head coach Andy Farrell's travelling squad to Australia is another matter, but another Lions trip cannot be discounted.

"I would be lying if I said 'no' about that," said Faletau, when asked about his Lions ambitions.

"But the main aim is to get back on the pitch. And once you are on there, all you can do is play your best and everything else will come and go as it will.

"I will try to play well and see what happens."

A broken arm suffered against 2023 World Cup pool opponents Georgia was followed by Faletau fracturing his shoulder when he returned to action for Cardiff in April 2024.

It was a savage double setback that might easily have finished some players, but not Faletau, who has retained his infectious enthusiasm to be part of all things club and country.

He is set to win his 107th cap against Guinness Six Nations opponents Scotland on Saturday, a figure bettered by only four Wales players - Alun Wyn Jones, Gethin Jenkins, George North and Dan Biggar.

"At the start of January, I didn't think I would be here, so it is nice to be here," said Faletau, who has started Wales' last two Tests.

"You just have to keep rolling, crack on, and just hope things come good."

Faletau said he never once thought of quitting rugby while on a long road back to full fitness, adding: "The body felt good, so it was a case of getting the injury right itself.

"I just had to let the injury itself heal, and that took a little bit longer than expected."

Wales will head to Edinburgh on the back of 15 international defeats in a row, having not won a Test match since the Georgia game in Nantes when Faletau broke his arm in October 2023.

A 22-15 loss to Italy proved to be Warren Gatland's final fixture in charge, being succeeded on an interim basis by Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt.

And a vastly-improved display against Six Nations title favourites Ireland, albeit another losing one, has raised hopes Wales could finish the campaign with a flourish against Scotland and then England in Cardiff.

"I work with 'Jockey' (Sherratt) at Cardiff, and I really enjoy working with him," Faletau said.

I imagined it would be the same for everybody else, and he has had that effect on the whole squad.

"I think everybody was just excited for that Ireland game, and it showed.

"He just brings a lot of excitement out of everyone, and I feel like he has come in and he has done that.

"He encourages everyone to be brave and just play to spaces. He encourages you to take the opportunities if they are there. It is different and he runs a different system.

"I think Jockey is more hands-on. He is out on the pitch coaching, and stuff like that, whereas Gats would be managing other coaches to do other things.