Rugby Banter Page weekly round up

Monday 29th December:

Wales Handed Faletau Fitness Boost:

Wales No 8 Taulupe Faletau does not need surgery on his injured ankle.

The Dragons and British and Irish Lions star had to seek specialist advice after he limped off during the recent Guinness PRO12 victory over Zebre.

There had been fears he had suffered a recurrence of a previous serious injury, but he has been given the all-clear to resume training – a significant boost for Wales boss Warren Gatland with the Six Nations just over a month away.

Tuilagi Touch & Go For Six Nations Opener:

Manu Tuilagi will face a race to be ready for the start of the RBS Six Nations Championship after Leicester confirmed the centre is not expected back until the middle of January.

Tuilagi was scheduled to  return from the groin injury that ruled him out of England’sautumn international series by the end of December, but his comeback has now been delayed by a couple of weeks. With England poised to name their revised Elite Player Squad (EPS) after the next round of European rugby matches in which Leicester play Scarlets on January 16, it would leave Tuilagi with precious little time to prove his form and fitness before the opening game against Wales in the Millennium Stadium on February 6.

Tuesday 30th December:

Jake White Takes Montpellier Coaching Reigns:

Former Brumbies, South Africa and Natal Sharks coach Jake White has landed a new job as he has signed a lucrative six-month deal in France as Montpellier look to offload Fabien Galthié.

With Montpellier having won just one of their last nine games to slip to eighth on the Top 14 points table, Galthié has effectively been placed on gardening leave with White coming in as a consultant, but also as the man in charge.

Wednesday 31st December:

Blow for Wales as Emyr Phillips Will Miss Six Nations Through Injury:

Wales have been hit with the news that Emyr Phillips is set to miss the Six Nations after it was confirmed he needs shoulder surgery.

The 27-year-old dislocated his right shoulder in the Scarlets' 17-15 derby defeat to the Ospreys on Saturday and after undergoing treatment on the problem, it has been decided that he will go under the knife on Friday, initially ruling him out for three months.

Thursday 1st January:

Hammett: Anscombe Is Settling In Well At Blues:

Mark Hammett praised the performance of man-of-the-match Gareth Anscombe in the victory over Newport Gwent Dragons as the fly half continues to settle into his new life.

Anscombe brought up his 50th point in Blues colours - on his seventh appearance - with a penalty and sweetly struck drop goal as he helped orchestrate the victory in Newport.

And Hammer believes his young half back can only get better as he continues to settle in Wales.

"Gareth certainly can spark a back line," he said. "Not just with his ability to run, but also his flatness of pass.

"I felt he controlled things pretty well and I think that is game number five for Gareth in the league.

"He is starting to learn more and know how he can direct us, the calibre of player we have and how we can play the game.

Friday 2nd January:

Ball Pens NDC Deal:

Wales and Scarlets lock Jake Ball has become the latest player to sign a national dual contract (NDC) with his region and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

Ball has won eight caps for Wales since making his debut against Ireland during the 2014 Six Nations.

The 23-year-old joins Wales captain Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, Tyler Morgan, Hallam Amos and Rhodri Jones on joint deals.