WARREN Gatland believes Taulupe Faletau has found his voice as he approaches his prime – but says Wales cannot take the dependable number eight for granted despite his incredible Test streak.

The Newport Gwent Dragons star will play in his 19th consecutive international in the final World Cup warm-up against Italy on Saturday (kick-off 5pm).

The 24-year-old has not missed a Test since being rested for the November, 2013 encounter with his native Tonga and has played every minute bar the first half against Ireland in Cardiff in August.

Faletau has played in 47 of the last 52 fixtures (not including the Japan tour while on Lions duty) yet Gatland has opted against wrapping the Pontypool-raised back row forward in cotton wool against the Azzurri.

However, the head coach admits they have to have contingency plans in case the only specialist number eight in their World Cup squad suffers a rare blow.

"Toby doesn't miss any training sessions and he plays in every game but we can't take that for granted," said the New Zealander. "We have to be prepared so that if something does happen we have some cover for him.

"He plays on a Saturday and turns up on the Monday fit and ready to go. He takes a full part in the whole week. There are not many players who can do that week after week.

"I joked to him the other day: 'I looked at you four years ago and you were an overweight Tongan!' He was carrying a few pounds, a bit of puppy fat.

"To see the work he's put in and the physical state he's in at the moment – he's a credit to himself and to how hard he's worked. Hopefully, the rewards and dividends will come his way."

Faletau burst onto the international scene four years ago, making his Test debut alongside his close friend and Dragons teammate Lloyd Burns against the Barbarians.

He went on to star at the World Cup and has become a mainstay of Gatland's XV along with back rowers Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate.

His boss believes that the quietly-spoken Faletau is leading by example and also finding his voice.

"He did a lot of good stuff in the tight last weekend but probably didn't get recognised massively for it," said Gatland.

"He also made a big difference to us when he came on in the first game against Ireland with his go-forward and tightness.

"It's been fantastic to see the way he has matured. He's really starting to come into his prime. He's not the most vocal person in the world, but you could definitely hear him on ref mic at the weekend, talking and communicating defensively.

"He's a very important cog for us, but we have to make sure we can cover him, so we are looking at James King and asking if Dan Lydiate can fill that role or even Sam Warburton."