The Newport Gwent Dragons powerhouse will go head-to-head with the Italy skipper in front of a sold out Principality Stadium at on Saturday. Parisse’s men are without a win heading into the final round of Six Nations action, and have never beaten Wales in Cardiff.
A victory for Warren Gatland’s side would secure second place in Six Nations for the first time since 1980. And Faletau is hoping to stop Parisse, before breaking down the Italians.
He said: “We all know what he brings. He is their talisman and I look forward to going up against him again. He brings leadership and does everything so well, everybody just follows his lead then. He pops up everywhere and is very effective – he is Italy I suppose and is very important to them.
“Italy always have a solid pack and set piece. They’ve got dangerous wingers who can strike from anywhere, as we saw last year. It was a crazy game last year, a crazy weekend.”
Faletau’s Dragons teammate Hallam Amos starts his first match of this season’s tournament on the wing, alongside George North and Liam Williams. The flying 21-year-old has had to bide his time this year, but Faletau is backing him to explode onto the Six Nations scene.
He said: “It’s good to see him back involved in the team and he will be looking to put his hand up for the jersey. He brings that x-factor and shows a lot of maturity for his age. You can’t limit someone like him, he has to be given a free role and it’s up to us to play off him. He breaks tackle and if you run good support lines I am sure he will pop the ball up.”
