Wales No.8 Faletau signs with English club Bath

Wales No.8 Taulupe Faletau has joined England Premiership Rugby club from Pr0 12 side Newport Gwent Dragons from the start of next season.

Faletau was extensively linked to Bath earlier this season but the move was blocked by Wales coach Warren Gatland.

Newport had hoped to earn a transfer fee from Faletau’s move but Gatland’s block meant that instead of an immediate move to Bath Faletau had to wait until the end of his contract before completing the move.

Newport have issued a statement saying that the move being blocked has led to “the worst possible outcome.”

“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,” said Chief Executive Stuart Davies.

Twenty-five year-old Faletau has won 52 caps for Wales and was part of the series winning British and Irish Lions that toured Australia in 2013.

“The way Bath approach the game suits my style of play, which was a big factor in me wanting to join,” Faletau told Bath’s official website, citing the draw of working with Bath first-team coach Darren Edwards.

“The opportunity to work with Darren again after doing so with Wales Under-20s and the Dragons was also too good to turn down. I would like to thank the Dragons for everything they’ve done for me in my career.”

Faletau, who has won three Six Nations titles including two Grand Slams, had been due to join Bath in October, but the move was blocked by Wales head coach Warren Gatland, who wants his players to play in Wales.

“When we talk about this club being ambitious, we are not just paying lip service,” said Bath head coach Mike 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 are continuing to build a formidable squad that will challenge for silverware for years to come.”

Tonga-born Faletau made his Wales debut in 2011 and had been at Dragons since 2009.