No return as Faletau signs new Bath deal
WALES No.8 Taulupe Faletau has signed a long-term contract extension with Bath – ruling out a return to Welsh rugby.
The British and Irish Lions star had been linked with a move back to the Dragons – but those rumours have been put to bed after the 27-year-old opted to stay with the Aviva Premiership outfit.
Having already won 72 Test caps for Wales, the back-rower is exempt from the new Welsh Rugby Union selection policy which sees players with less than 60 caps taking new contracts outside of Wales made ineligible for international selection.
Speaking after extending his stay with Bath, Faletau said: “I’m delighted to extend my contract at Bath. I feel my best years are still ahead of me, and this is the place I want to play, develop and win trophies.
“I have a great relationship with Todd (Blackadder) and the coaching team and believe in their long-term vision. I also believe in the squad we have and that we can achieve our goals.”
Blackadder added: “This is great news for the club in that Toby recognises that Bath is the place where he can best achieve his goals, which is ultimately challenging for the major trophies.”
Faletau arrived at the Rec from the Dragons at the start of the 2016/17 season, during which time he has made 29 appearances and starred on his second Lions tour.
However, he has been plagued with injuries – with hopes he would return back across the Severn Bridge where his minutes could be managed.
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IT’S that time of year when teams bid farewell to players and open the door to new faces. There will be some high-profile departures from the Welsh regions at the end of this season, but also some big names arriving.
So, just who is leaving and who is coming on board?
Here’s the definitive list.
CARDIFF BLUES
It’s been pretty quiet on the transfer front at the Arms Park so far. In fact, it’s been virtually silent.
There isn’t a single player in the “In” column, with the focus up to now having been on retaining key players, a project which has gone well.
But incoming coach John Mulvihill is looking for reinforcements in particular areas, with a tight-head prop, a second row, a No 8 and a big back three player at the top of his shopping list.
In
None
Out
Alex Cuthbert (Exeter) Damien Welch (Cross Keys) Taufa’ao Filise (retired)
DRAGONS
In contrast to the Blues, it’s all change at Rodney Parade with a host of players leaving and more than a dozen signings having been made.
Coach Bernard Jackman has been a very busy man as he’s gone about overhauling his squad with a view to making the Dragons much more competitive next season.
In
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) Richard Hibbard (Gloucester) Jordan Williams (Bristol) Rhodri Williams (Bristol)
Ryan Bevington (Bristol) Aaron Jarvis (Clermont Auvergne) Dafydd Howells (Ospreys) Rhodri Davies (Rotherham Titans) Huw Taylor (Worcester)
Josh Lewis (Bath)
Jacob Botica (RGC)
Tiaan Loots (RGC)
Rhys Lawrence (Ealing Trailfinders) Brandon Nansen (Stade Francais)
Out
Sarel Pretorius (Southern Kings) Phil Price (Scarlets)
Pat Howard (Ealing Trailfinders) Scott Andrews (Neath) Luke Garrett (Neath) Adam Hughes (retired)
Sam Hobbs
Thomas Davies
Keagan Bale
Liam Belcher
Rhys Buckley
Ashley Sweet
Robson Blake
Charlie Davies
Angus O’Brien
Carl Meyer
Barney Nightingale
Sam Beard
Lloyd Lewis The departures far outnumber the arrivals in Ospreylia and there are some real stalwart figures moving on, with the likes of Biggar, Beck, Webb and Hassler having given so many years of service.
But there are also some big name internationals heading for the Liberty Stadium, with George North having finally chosen them after months of deliberation.
As at the Blues, there’s also a new head coach in place for next season, with Allen Clarke having stepped up to replace Steve Tandy.
In
George North (Northampton) Scott Williams (Scarlets) Aled Davies (Scarlets) Lesley Klim (Doncaster Knights) Tom Botha (Cheetahs)
Out
Dan Biggar (Northampton) Rhys Webb (Toulon)
Kieron Fonotia (Scarlets) Ashley Beck (Worcester) Rowan Jenkins (Yorkshire Carnegie) Dafydd Howells (Dragons)
Ben John (sabbatical)
Eli Walker (retired)
Brian Mujati (retired)
Dmitri Arhip
Jeff Hassler
Jay Baker
Hugh Gustafson
Brendon Leonard
Guy Mercer
SCARLETS
There are some absolutely pivotal figures moving on, with Tadhg Beirne, John Barclay and Scott Williams all exiting.
But Wayne Pivac looks to have continued his judicious recruitment policy, focusing on bringing in players who will be available all season, to counterbalance the demands placed on the region by Wales call-ups.
In
Kieron Fonotia (Ospreys) Blade Thomson (Hurricanes) Uzair Cassiem (Cheetahs) Clayton Blommetjies (Cheetahs) Phil Price (Dragons)
Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh) Kieran Hardy (Jersey)
Out
Tadhg Beirne (Munster) John Barclay (Edinburgh) Scott Williams (Ospreys) Aled Davies (Ospreys) Emyr Phillips (retired) Jack Condy (retired) Tom Grabham (retired) Rhys Jones
Tom Williams
Billy McBryde