Updated 6.17pm
THE NEWPORT GWENT Dragons have expressed extreme disappointment with the role of Warren Gatland and the Welsh Rugby Union after Taulupe Faletau’s move to Bath next season was confirmed.
In October, the Welsh region approach the WRU with a request for permission to release Faletau from his contract early, which would have seen the number eight join Bath after the World Cup.
Such a move would also have earned the Dragons a six-figure transfer fee.
However, Wales head coach Warren Gatland opted to block the Dragons’ attempt to sell their international number eight, drawing a disgruntled reaction from the region.
Following that decision, the Dragons say Faletau made it clear that he wanted to sign one of the WRU’s National Dual Contracts and remain with the Dragons beyond next summer, when his deal was set to expire.
Despite the expectation that Faletau would do so, Bath this morning confirmed that the Lions back row will join them next season, therefore leaving the Dragons without a transfer fee and without their star player from the summer onwards.
“We welcomed Taulupe announcing his desire to stay at the Dragons, since he has consistently stated that he would not wish to play for any other Welsh region,” said Dragons chief executive Stuart Davies in a statement this afternoon.
Following the failed move to Bath this season, it was our sincere hope that negotiations with the Union would be concluded successfully and we would retain him with the support of a NDC. As such we were willing to support the negotiation process in whatever way was necessary.
“This is the worst possible outcome for us given all that has gone before, and it leaves us feeling extremely disappointed as well as significantly worse off financially.
“It remains the case that such is his professionalism that I have no concerns about Taulupe’s contribution for the remainder of the season, and it goes without saying that he will always be welcome here after his departure. We will now consider how best to invest elsewhere the money set aside for Taulupe’s next contract.”
The Dragons press release also cited “the refusal by Warren Gatland to sanction a transfer request by the Dragons for the remainder of this season at the end of the Rugby World Cup.”
The WRU have issued a response to the Dragons’ statement this evening, although it doesn’t shed too much new light on the matter.
“The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed that National Dual Contract negotiations with Newport Gwent Dragons player Taulupe Faletau, continued until the WRU were notified of his decision to accept a move to Bath Rugby,” reads the WRU statement.
“During the negotiations the WRU and Newport Gwent Dragons continued to liaise on all developments. The WRU is disappointed but accepts the player’s decision in which he identified a desire to pursue a new rugby challenge at this stage of his career.
It remains the policy of the WRU to keep as many Welsh qualified players as possible in Wales with one of the four Regions. There are currently 17 National Dual Contract players divided between the four Welsh Regions”
Having missed out on the brilliant 24-year-old Faletau for this campaign, Bath recruited Scotland star David Denton from Edinburgh instead. For next season though, Mike Ford will have his number one target.
“The way Bath approach the game suits my style of play, which was a big factor in me wanting to join,” Faletau said in a statement from the Premiership club today.
“The opportunity to work with Darren (Edwards, Bath Rugby First Team Coach) again after doing so with Wales U20 and the Dragons was also too good to turn down. I’d like to thank Dragons for everything they’ve done for me in my career.”
Faletau made his Dragons debut in 2009 and has already amassed 52 caps for Wales.
“When we talk about this club being ambitious, we’re not just paying lip service,” says head coach Ford.
“Signing a player of Toby’s calibre is evidence of that. He is a world-class player who never takes a backwards step and he will add competition to an equally fantastic back row. We’re continuing to build a formidable squad that will challenge for silverware for years to come.”
