No.8 Taulupe Faletau, who has helped Cardiff Rugby reach the Round of 16 in the EPCR Challenge Cup, will win his 100th cap for Wales in their final match of the 2023 Six Nations Championship on Saturday against France in Paris.

The 32-year-old, who is set to face Sale Sharks at Cardiff Arms Park on April 1, is one of two Cardiff players in Warren Gatland’s starting XV for the Stade de France encounter, the other being right wing Josh Adams.

Gatland said of Faletau: “Toby has been a fantastic servant for Welsh rugby. Even though he’s reaching 100 caps, he’s still pretty quiet, but he’s incredibly well respected by the players for what he’s achieved.

“There’s a lot of things that people don’t see in terms of his ability to read the game – he’ll run support lines that people don’t see. You see that when you’re going back through the videos and there have been times where he’s been on the end of a pass and scored tries. We saw that last week; Rhys Webb makes a break and Toby scores a try.

“Getting 100 caps is a great recognition for what he’s achieved in the game. It’s fantastic for him and his family. Hopefully we can go out there and give him a really good performance, and something for him to remember.”

Scarlets and Dragons RFC, the two other Welsh sides in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16, also have two players in the Wales side.

Dragons’ Aaron Wainwright will make his first appearance in this Six Nations, coming in at blind-side flanker to join wing Rio Dyer in the XV, while Scarlets boast captain and hooker Ken Owens and prop Wyn Jones.

Scarlets host CA Brive on March 31, the day before Dragons visit Glasgow Warriors.