WRU Release Statement On Toby Faletau

Bath announced this morning that they had signed Toby Faletau in a move that has shocked both the Dragons and the WRU.

The Dragons released a statement earlier claiming they were unaware that a move had taken place and were of the understanding that negotiations were ongoing. The WRU were next to respond and came out with this:

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.

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 currenlty 17 National Dual Contract players divided between the four Welsh Regions.