Bath have not given up their pursuit of Wales and Newport Gwent Dragons forward Taulupe Faletau. The English side came close to securing the player’s signature before Wales coach Warren Gatland vetoed the transfer.
Now, though, BBC Sport reports that Bath are still looking to secure the transfer of Faletau when his contract runs out at the end of the current season.
Dragons’ coach Lyn Jones claims that “his head turned” to Bath’s interest and so would be willing to move to Bath if they made another move for the player next year.
If Faletau moves to England, then Wales coach Gatland would have to sanction the sale and for the player to continue playing for his national side, he would have to take up one of the two slots available for players playing abroad from Wales.
Bath coach Mike Ford spoke about the potential transfer and admitted that if Faletau became available then he would make every effort to secure him.
“If he’s available next summer – which he is – then we’ll look. It’s disappointing, but Warren and the Welsh Rugby Union have got every right to keep him there. I don’t get involved in the politics of that but he’s gone now, unfortunately for him, for us and for Dragons.”
