It has been confirmed today that after much speculation as to where Taulupe Faletau will be playing his rugby next season, that has now come to an end along with his time in Wales. Next season he will compete for the number 8 shirt with the likes of Leroy Houston and David Denton and playing in front of the Rec for Bath Rugby.
Originally he had been set to leave the Newport Gwent Dragons and head for the west country in October, however this move was blocked by Warren Gatland due to his duel contract still having time left. That contact will run out at the end of the season and, to the disappointment of the Dragons, he decided that it was time for a change of scenery and that he feels that the way in which Bath play will suit his style and the way he likes to play.
Faletau was born in Tonga and at 25 years of age he has amassed 52 caps for his adopted national side, for whom he qualifies through residency and the help of Phil KIngsley Jones. He has also represented the British and Irish Lions during the 2013 tour to Australia. Now Faletau will only be able to play for Wales under Gatland’s Law which means that only two players playing outside of Wales can play for their country. Although due to the increasing number of players leaving Wales for England and France, Gatland may start looking into the smaller writing which states that this only applies if that player was offered the same amount by a Welsh club, as the club that they have joined.
The powerful number 8 will play alongside Luke Charteris- who is another leaving Wales next season- and Rhys Priestland at Bath and will play for one of Premiership’s top title contenders, which will mean facing off against cousins, Billy and Mako Vunipola, who currently play for Saracens, and unlike their cousin, they decided to try and get into the England team. They now have 48 caps between them and Mako also played for the Lions along with the new Bath signing.
