Toby Faletau, who is the son of former Tongan international Kili, was at the Bristol Academy of Sport at Filton College when he was spotted by the Dragons set up. He was fast-tracked into the Dragons' under-20 squad and academy.

He made his debut for the senior side during the 2009/10 season and went on to make eight appearances for the first team. He continued to progress the following season and was called up to Wales' Six Nations squad only to be ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury.

But Faletau earned his first Wales cap against the Barbarians in their end of season game. And he pushed on from there to be included in the Welsh reckoning for the 2011 World Cup.

Once at the World Cup, Faletau was an ever-present in the Wales squad. He scored his first international try against South Africa in the opening match of the pool stage. Despite losing in agonising fashion, Faletau was earmarked as one of Wales' standout performers - a notion which continued for the rest of the tournament.

After crossing the line against Namibia for his second try in international colours, Faletau was named at No.8 against Ireland in the quarter-finals and kept his place for the match against France in the penultimate knockout stage. Wales fell at the semi-final hurdle but Faletau finished the tournament with an astonishing 75 tackles to his name and none missed.

Come the 2012 Six Nations, Faletau started all five of their matches at the back of the scrum and played a key part in their Grand Slam winning triumph. Faletau continued to be a mainstay of the Welsh side as they came through a barren run to ultimate retain their Six Nations title in 2013. A call up to the British & Irish Lions squad to tour Australia followed.