Taulupe Faletau insist he is ready for a Wales recall after making his return from injury for Bath.
The Wales No.8 – who was left out of the squad to face Japan – made his comeback for his club in their Aviva Premiership derby victory over Bristol on Friday night.
After an agreed 55-minute run out in a 16-9 win, Faletau declared himself fit for duty after 10 weeks out with a medial knee ligament strain.
“It was good to be out there. I’d have liked it to be longer,” he said. “I’m going back in on Monday, after seeing how the boys get on tomorrow.”
Reflecting on his rehabilitation and carefully managed return, he said: “It’s been good from my point of view. The coaches at both Bath and Wales have been in contact with each other and that has kept things going smoothly.
“If I’m required next week, I’ll be happy to give it a crack.”
Bath coach Todd Blackadder was happy to see Faletau come through without mishap, saying: “I thought he was really solid without being outstanding. He did the basics really well. It was good to see him get through those minutes, wasn’t it?”
Asked whether he thought Faletau would be ready to face South Africa, he said: “I think that will be the plan but that will be Wales’s call. He came through the game really well. He’s a world-class player and he just needed to get those minutes under his belt for his confidence. He’ll be better for the run.”
Blackadder confirmed that fly-half Rhys Priestland had suffered an injury to his right knee, only weeks after recovering from a similar injury. “I don’t know what is wrong but it doesn’t look great. It looks serious.”
In the absence of Faletau, James King gets his chance against Japan but his Ospreys teammate, wing Keelan Giles, will be starting on the bench.
Jamie Roberts – restored at centre after being dropped for last week’s win over Argentina – says Giles could cause “carnage” if the 18-year-old gets on.
Roberts said: “I can’t remember a guy as evasive as Keelan since Shane Williams.
“We have had a drill in training when we’re put up one on one with Keelan, and it has been quite embarrassing.
“He is a frightening prospect, and I hope he gets a chance to come on and show his worth and show his potential.
“He is a humble lad and he knows this is a big opportunity for him. He has the potential to cause carnage.”
Wales have beaten Japan eight times in nine Tests, and that domination should continue with something to spare on Saturday, building further momentum ahead of next week’s autumn finale against South Africa.
“I could think of a few four-letter expletives to describe how I played against Australia,” Roberts said.
“The hardest thing was probably trying to find a reason why, but it was nothing more and nothing less than a bad day at the office.
“I pride myself on consistency of performance, especially defensively, but it was a disappointing day personally and for the side. I certainly didn’t deserve to play last weekend.
“Having spoken to Rob Howley after the Australia game, I fully respected his decision. It’s the nature of what we do. It’s a competitive squad here, and we know if we don’t perform, you don’t deserve to keep the jersey.
“So I did a bit of soul-searching and certainly had a few sleepless nights, but you learn from it and I am ready and raring to go again this weekend.”
