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 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.”
Whatever his future holds next season, 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.”
