Here are your rugby morning headlines for Monday, 16 December.

Faletau 'class' in front of Wales coaches

Taulupe Faletau made his return after eight months out injured on Saturday night, leaving coaches and team-mates impressed with how easily he stepped back into action.

The Wales No. 8 lasted 52 minutes in Cardiff's Challenge Cup win over the Cheetahs, appearing like he'd never been away with a string of nice moments in front of watching Wales coaching staff.

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As well as some strong carries off retreating scrums, there was the usual work-ethic - with one crucial tackle near his own line in the first-half - and some neat touches, with one offload nearly setting Josh Adams away down the right wing.

"Class," was how Adams summed up his Wales team-mate's display afterwards. The pair had both trained with Warren Gatland's squad this autumn ahead of their respective returns from long-term injury.

"He looked good," added the wing. "A couple of nice touches.

"He looked dynamic off the base of the scrum and got us out of jail a couple of times. It's so good to have someone like him back. Let's hope he can have a good, clean run because he's so important for us."

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt was equally effusive about having Faletau back, saying: "Brilliant, wasn't it? Really chuffed for him.

"He's worked hard and, as always, he just goes out there and oozes class. Having his name on the team-sheet gives everyone a boost in Welsh rugby."

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'I wish we'd disconnected the TMO' - Cockerill

Black Lion head coach Richard Cockerill claimed the Television Match Official should have been "disconnected" during their Challenge Cup defeat against the Scarlets.

The European clash at Parc y Scarlets was dominated by lengthy TMO referrals, with Black Lion having one player sent off and both sides each having a yellow card.

And while Cockerill had no problem with any of the decisions or the fact the Scarlets won 36-18, he did think the time taken to get to decisions was "ridiculous".

"I wish we had disconnected the TMO and let the referee get on with things," he said afterwards. "It was ridiculous.

"It was a good game and the best team won. I am proud of the performance and the way we stuck in and we showed we are a competitive bunch.

"But we deserved the red card and if we make those silly mistakes in a proper competition like this, it costs your team and it cost us today."

Wales star's return ruined by French masterclass

Wales second-row Dafydd Jenkins' return from injury was ruined by a French masterclass, as Toulouse ran riot at Sandy Park against Exeter Chiefs.

The defending champions were dominant in the 10-try 64-21 victory, scoring through Antoine Dupont, Julien Marchand, Thibaud Flament, Theo Ntamack, Blair Kinghorn and Paul Graou. There were also two tries apiece for Matthis Lebel and Pierre-Louis Barassi in an emphatic performance.

Exeter, who have endured a dismal season so far, had Josh Hodge and a Tommy Wyatt double to thank for their tries, but they were never really in the contest.

Jenkins came on as a second-half replacement, having not featured this season after undergoing shoulder surgery. However, he was helpless to do anything, with Toulouse already out of sight when he was introduced.

The 22-year-old lock, who captained Wales in the Six Nations, had not played since the summer tour to Australia. After undergoing surgery, he has missed all of Wales' autumn international matches plus Exeter's first 11 league and cup games.

Anscombe back to his best

Gloucester believe they have got the best of Gareth Anscombe after the fly-half's lengthy injury lay-off for much of this year.

The former Cardiff and Ospreys playmaker was out for much of last year, but has been in fine form for Gloucester after joining the Kingsholm side in the summer.

And Cherry and Whites attack coach James Lightfoot Brown has praised the impact of the outside-half, who was rested for this weekend's Challenge Cup defeat to Vannes.

“We are pleased with the start we have made, but we are aware that it is just a start," he told the Rugby Paper. "We are seven games in to the league campaign and with the weather conditions changing, we have to make sure that we manage that and pose the same threat in possession.

“Gareth has made a fantastic impact on the squad. He has played at the top level for a long time and his strengths are clear. He has had a fair few injuries but he has an incredible desire to get better and to play at the level he is after being out for so long is all credit to him.

“He was brilliant against Northampton and Edinburgh last week when he managed the game superbly, putting us in the right areas. There is so much growth in this side and we are trying to make sure the attack and defence work as cohesively as possible.”