The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) revealed on Tuesday that it has refused to sanction Newport Gwent Dragons’ attempt to transfer Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau to English Premiership side Bath.
In a letter to the club, the WRU calls on the Dragons to respect the contractual agreement tying 24-year-old Faletau, who has won 52 caps, to Rodney Parade until the end of the current season.
In the letter, Wales head coach Warren Gatland says the decision is based on the commitment between the WRU and the Welsh regions to limit the number of players playing outside Wales being selected for international duty.
“We stand alongside the regions in our commitment to try to keep the best Welsh-qualified players here in Wales where they can compete for international honours,” said WRU group chief executive Martin Phillips in a statement.
“We fully understand that the Newport Gwent Dragons have acted entirely properly in this matter, but we have a duty to act in the way we feel is in the best interests of the whole of professional rugby and the international game in Wales.
“Although there are circumstances under which moves out of Wales by experienced players can be sanctioned, Taulupe’s status as a player and importance as a role model means we would like him to be playing his rugby here.
“Clearly it is vitally important that we are all mindful of the need to respect and protect Taulupe himself throughout this extremely sensitive and delicate discussion. His welfare is paramount.
“Taulupe is under contract until the end of the current season and we do not believe it is in any of our interests to withdraw from that agreement.”
Faletau’s proposed move to Bath could reportedly be worth £150,000 (208,000 euros, $230,000) to the Dragons.
Earlier this year, Gatland revealed that Faletau had rejected an opportunity to sign a national dual contract, which are jointly funded 60-40 by the WRU and the regions.
Faletau, a member of the Wales squad that reached the quarter-finals of the ongoing World Cup, is currently on holiday and will not feature in the Dragons’ Celtic League clash with Scarlets on Friday.