No 8 Faletau has produced a series of impressive performances as Wales have beaten Ireland, Scotland, England and Italy to date.
It means Wayne Pivac’s side will seal a Grand Slam if they beat France in Paris on Saturday evening.
Wales have been based at their Vale of Glamorgan hotel throughout the Six Nations and stayed in a
Covid-19 bubble for health reasons and to try and stop the spread of coronavirus.
Faletau has though returned to his club side Bath in the Six Nations down weeks allowing him to spend priceless time with his wife Charlotte and two sons Israel and Ezekiel.
“During the fallow weeks when I’m playing for Bath, I get to spend a week with the family. I benefit from that whereas most of the guys have to stay here,” said Faletau.
“Hats off to all the partners out there for the amount of work they have to do, especially with kids being home schooled which was extra work for them.
“Luckily my kids are in nursery so can go a couple of days a week but it is still a handful for my partner back at home.”
Faletau (right) has had a superb 2021 Guinness Six Nations and was man of the match in the win over England
During the fallow weeks when I’m playing for Bath, I get to spend a week with the family. I benefit from that whereas most of the guys have to stay here
Wales will head for France on Saturday with 14 of Pivac’s starting XV boasting previous experience of winning a Grand Slam.
The Welsh starting side for Paris also contains a record 987 caps in terms of experience.
“Being there before can help your expectation of what the week looks like. It’s pretty exciting times,” said Faletau.
“The autumn was a lot of learning and we’ve taken those learnings into the Six Nations. We’ve a chance to win all our games and it would be brilliant if that happens this weekend.
“I feel pretty good. I’m just glad to be on the field. I’ve missed a lot of rugby over the last couple of years. I’ve just been happy to have a run of games and play week in, week out.
“It was a long time out and maybe the first couple of games back after the most recent injury didn’t go as well as I would have hoped. There would have been doubts along the road.
“Maybe before I would have taken playing every week for granted, but I appreciate every opportunity I get now.
“I wouldn’t say I have been amazing or anything like that. I’m quite a hard critic on myself and there are a lot of parts of my game where I need to step up.
“Enjoying the game to me means getting my hands on the ball more and making more tackles.”
Maybe before I would have taken playing every week for granted, but I appreciate every opportunity I get now
