DIRECTOR of rugby Lyn Jones has hailed Taulupe Faletau as a fine team player for the way that he responded to being on bench duty for Newport Gwent Dragons' European derby with Cardiff Blues, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 24-year-old was surprisingly named among the replacements for the Challenge Cup quarter-final at Rodney Parade last weekend.

Faletau has been a Wales regular since bursting onto the Test scene in 2011 and has played all 80 minutes in the last 17 internationals.

However, he had to be content with a place on the bench against the Blues with Jones opting to stick with the in-form trio of James Thomas, James Benjamin and Nick Crosswell retaining their places in an unchanged XV that had beaten Treviso.

There was never any danger of Faletau throwing his toys out of the pram – and he admitted before the team announcement that his back row colleagues "have been on fire – but as it happened he didn't have to wait long to get out in the middle.

The number eight came on for Andrew Coombs when the lock suffered a leg injury at an 11th-minute lineout and more than played his part in the 25-21 victory.

"That's the best game I've seen him play in a long while," said Jones. "I was delighted with his contribution. That's what we want and we need to have competition.

"The best players need to perform to their utmost every time they take the field. We've got a really strong back row to pick from and boys are on form.

"Toby is a good fella and every time he crosses the white line he gives his all for his chums and his region."

Faletau could well be promoted to the starting XV for Sunday's Guinness Pro12 game against Leinster at Rodney Parade (kick-off 4.15pm).

Thomas is currently being monitored after suffering a blow to the head against the Blues and if he is passed fit then he could well be pressed into duty as a lock given that Coombs is out and Rynard Landman is suspended.