Warren Gatland 'pretty confident' Taulupe Faletau will be fit for Rugby World Cup

Wales boss Warren Gatland says he is "pretty confident" that experienced back row forward Taulupe Faletau will be available for World Cup selection.

The Cardiff number 8, who has won 100 caps, will play no part in Wales' tournament warm-up schedule as he continues his recovery from a calf muscle injury.

He is not involved against England at Twickenham on Saturday, and has also been ruled out of contention to face world champions South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday week.

Gatland said: "Taulupe won’t be available next week.

"He trained pretty well today, he is not feeling anything in his calf, so we are pretty confident he is available for selection."

Centre Johnny Williams and wing Alex Cuthbert, though, are on course to be available for South Africa’s visit, with out-half Gareth Anscombe ruled out as a precautionary measure after taking a knock to his thumb during Wales’ training camp in Turkey.

Gatland (below) is set to name his final 33-strong World Cup squad within the next fortnight as the clock continues ticking on players’ selection hopes.

"I am expecting a group of players who are desperate to perform. It is a good situation to be in," Gatland added, ahead of Saturday’s clash.

"England have picked their [World Cup] squad, so they will want to go out there and perform.

"But sometimes, it is almost the relief of being selected in the squad, and whether you are quite there emotionally. That’s the challenge for them to get up.

"I know we have a group of players that are in the right head-space because that team went out last week [Wales beat England 20-9 in Cardiff], they weren’t perfect, but they showed some great signs of what we are looking for as a group.

"There is a lot at stake, and players are well aware of that. We are