Steve Tandy has overlooked Taulupe Faletau for Wales’ Nations Championship squad and warned the No 8 that will not be picked for the Rugby World Cup unless he proves he is “robust” enough.

This is the first time in more than 15 years that Faletau – who has played on three British and Irish Lions tours – has not been selected in the wider Welsh party before a campaign despite being fit enough to play for his club side.

After an eight-month absence, Faletau returned for Cardiff on Sunday and impressed against Northampton in their Champions Cup defeat.

However, it was not enough to convince the Wales head coach to call up the 35-year-old he called a “world-class legend” for Tests against Japan, New Zealand and Australia next month.

Tandy revealed that he did not talk to Faletau after finalising his selections, but said he had previously informed the veteran of what he needed to do to make a comeback in the red jersey.

“It’s only been one game [since he returned for Cardiff], so I didn’t talk to him, but I’ve had chats with Toby [Faletau] over the period… about being fit and being available. And then we can probably cross that bridge when he’s probably putting some consistent rugby together,” Tandy said. “Look, with the older athlete, you’re not going to ask them to play 80 minutes every week.

“But you have to have enough evidence that they’re going to be robust enough for a World Cup campaign, and you’re only taking a squad of 33. You have to be robust to play back-to-back games, which I’m hopeful Toby can do.”

Tandy is certain that Faletau is targeting a fourth World Cup in Australia next year. “Toby’s competitive, he loves playing rugby, I can see the drive in him,” Tandy said. “If he’s out on the field then I think he’s not just there to play for Cardiff – I think Toby has ambition to play for Wales.

“It’s great to see him back out there and you can see how quickly he picks up the game from not having a lot of rugby. He’s a legend of our game, he’s a world-class player, and we will definitely not rule him out.”

Tommy Reffell is another missing high-profile back-rower, with the Leicester Tigers man ruled out with a knee injury that will keep him out for a month or so, but there is a recall for back-rower Taine Basham. There are 14 English-based players in the ranks and three players in line for debut caps in Cardiff hooker Rhys Barratt and the Dragons pair Che Hope, at scrum-half, and centre Aneurin Owen.