In a slightly bizarre turn of events, the Newport Gwent Dragons have asked the WRU’s permission to sell prize asset Taulupe Faletau so they can pocket a transfer fee believed to be in the region of £150,000.
According to Wales Online, the Dragons are resigned to losing World Cup star Faletau at the end of the current season anyway, after contract talks broke down some time ago. Talks between Faletau and the WRU over a National Dual Contract also broke down before the deadline, and if they could offload him now, would at least be able to reap a financial benefit.
Faletau has long been linked with a move to Aviva Premiership finalists Bath, although Northampton Saints are also believed to be in the market for a number eight after losing Samu Manoa to Toulon.
In line with the Rugby Services Agreement signed by the WRU and regions in 2014, the Dragons would require the approval of Warren Gatland to allow Faletau join a club outside Wales.
It would be a hammer blow to the WRU, who included a ‘Gatland’s law’ clause in the agreement that allows the head coach to pick two players that have recently signed deals with teams outside of Wales.
The only two that currently fall into that category are Jamie Roberts at Harlequins and Rhys Priestland at Bath (the likes of George North and Jonathan Davies signed their deals long before the new agreement was put in place). A move for Faletau would spell bad news for potential new team-mate Priestland, who would likely fall by the wayside to allow Gatland to pick both Faletau and Roberts.
The instalment of National Dual Contracts was designed to stop exactly this, and yet Faletau’s reticence to sign with the WRU and his region suggest that a move away from Wales seems increasingly likely.
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
The problem with the “you can pick two” argument comes down to money. Why should Fale earn much less than Roberts when both can command similar salaries in England? Once you make it a “1 or 2 exceptions” then it is worthless.
It’s not really going to work unless we a) stop them all from playing b) increase salaries in Wales so they don’t want to c) ditch the rule.
My guess is we will have c) in practice while continuing to claim we have a) with exceptions.
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I think the Aussie rule is quite a neat one. Set a cap limit, but stick to it. Once your a 40 or 50 cap veteran surely the need for extended player access becomes less important. The likes of Roberts and Faletau surely know the drills and moves and fitness levels required. Plus it would hopefully provide opportunities to develop younger players or bring the likes of Francis and Moriarty over to the regions. Their clubs might be amenable to this now they are no longer eng qualified.
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