Faletau signs new deal with the Dragons til 2016 - Western Mail

Western Mail, so pinch of salt. But it does sound promising. Bold statement if they're just guessing or making it up.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/huge-boost-welsh-rugby-toby-5585503



Toby Faletau will give Welsh rugby a huge boost by signing a new deal with the Dragons, we can reveal.

The Lions and Wales star is expected to put pen to paper on a contract tying him to the Newport-based region until June 2016.

The Dragons have called a press conference for Monday morning, at which the new deal with Faletau is expected to be announced.

No. 8 Faletau's current contract with the Dragons had been due to run out at the end of next season and he had been the subject of intense speculation over his future.

English club Bath were prepared to bid more than £100,000 for the Tonga-born star earlier this year.

Other money-laden French and English clubs had also joined the chase for the 22-year-old with his market value having soared following a sensational performance as the Lions wrapped up their Test series with Australia a few weeks ago with a record 41-16 triumph in Sydney.

But Faletau's decision to remain in Wales, following winger Alex Cuthbert's decision to extend his time at the Blues, is a welcome tonic for the financially-pressed Welsh regions.

Their Lions and Wales team-mates Dan Lydiate and Jamie Roberts had both upped sticks after signing lucrative deals with Paris club Racing Metro 92 while the Scarlets controversially sold George North to Northampton Saints in a six-figure transfer deal.

The Dragons were anxious to keep the 27-times capped international Faletau, who has lived in Pontypool for most of his life, after losing his chop-tackling back-row colleague Lydiate.

New Dragons coach Lyn Jones last week said he had opened exploratory talks with the Newport-based region's top player.

Jones admitted they would be unable to compete if Faletau was looking for a bumper pay deal.

"It depends on what Toby's motivations are," Jones had explained.

"He is very passionate about Gwent rugby and that was nice to hear. We have an ambition here that we can improve him

"Money is important, depending on where you are in your career.

"If he's intriniscally motivated and interested in money we wouldn't be able to compete with the clubs who will be in the market for him.

"One thing about staying in Wales is the regions will look after their players, which increases their chances of performing at a very high level for a long period.

"Everything comes at a price. If he goes to play in France I'm not sure, if he asks his club coach for a weekend off before an international, what the answer will be.

"His form dipped last season but he worked hard and came back strong during the Lions trip, showing he is perhaps the best No 8 in the British Isles at the moment."

Faletau made his Wales debut against the Barbarians in June 2011 and was one of the stand-out players at the World Cup in New Zealand a few months later.

He earned rave reviews from some of the biggest names in the sport - New Zealand back-row legend Graham Mourie leading the way - as he helped Wales to the semi-finals and a fourth-place finish.

A Six Nations Grand Slam followed and he was again an influential figure this year as Wales retained the European title with a record 30-3 demolition of England at the Millennium Stadium last March.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has stressed the importance of having his stars staying at home because he believes it will enhance the country's chance of lifting the World Cup at Twickenham in two years time.

Instead of being flogged by clubs in France and England, the deal the WRU has in place with the Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets means players can be rested to avoid the risk of burn-out.

heard from another source yesterday that faletau had signed a contract, so think there is some truth in this article. great news for the dragons & welsh rugby - hopefully we can continue to keep the likes AWJ, Adam Jones, Halfpenny, Foxy etc in Wales.

Things are looking good for the regions when they manage to keep hold such high profile players.

Also confirmed on BBC website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23572731

This is great news.

Pyleboy65 wrote:Also confirmed on BBC website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23572731

This is great news.

Seems like it is official...

It is official. They held a mini press conference with Toby there this morning

Risca Rev wrote:It is official. They held a mini press conference with Toby there this morning

Toby signing for a few more years and the appointments of Phill KJ, Lyn Jones and Gareth Davies is the brightest start to a season at Rodney Parade in a very long time... Very exciting stuff...