Transfer fee: Toby Faletau
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Bath are set to offer the Dragons a substantial transfer fee to sign Wales number eight Toby Faletau for next season.
Faletau is contracted to the Welsh region until 2014, having signed an extension following his impressive outings at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The 22-year old has received plenty of interest from leading clubs in Europe and the Dragons may now decide to accept what is reported to be a "six-figure transfer fee" from Bath according to the South Wales Evening Post.
Wales international prop Paul James has made a strong start to his career with the West Country club after joining from the Ospreys, with millionaire backer Bruce Craig not afraid to open his pockets in order to make Bath a force once again in England and in Europe.
Rated as one of the best number eights on the continent, the acquisition of Faletau would be a coup for Bath, but also cause great concern over the future of the Dragons, with Faletau's club and country team-mate Dan Lydiate also departing the region at the end of the season.
"Toby like Dan and any other talented young player will be targeted by other clubs that have more resource in terms of finance available," said Dragons director of rugby Robert Beale to the South Wales Evening Post.
"You're competing against teams who have huge budgets.
"I'm not suggesting that we go to those sorts of levels, but...if regional rugby and the four regions are to compete seriously in Europe then we need to increase levels of funding from wherever avenue they may come."
Comments
NHsaints says...
It seems to me, day by day that the best option WRU and the dragons have are combining with another Welsh region and then dropping Zebre to make the Rabopro12 the Rabopro10 (or whatever in that regard). Personally I think the best thing that could happen is a combination of Newport and Cardiff, this way they could build up not only a stronger team but also a stronger fan base/atmosphere using the millenium stadium. Both teams are very weak at the minute, Cardiff especially compared to recent years. It's a 25 minute journey by car from Newport to Cardiff so it's not even like the location is a factor. It would create a club with the stability, player and fan and funding base to create and keep quality players for Wales. In reference to Bath in this one, considering Toulons' approach to spending I think this is a perfectly reasonable move, they need a quality 8, who's the best they can poach (since there aren't many free or up and coming locally)? Faletau, so why not poach Faletau?
Posted 18:41 28th December 2012
makemehappy says...
@Melkdave - aren't you completely contradicting yourself in parts? You are advocating moving back to a club set up and also wanting to base clubs in mid and north wales. Which great mid or north wales establishment are you trying to re-create as I can't recall there ever having been one? Where would the fan base be?
What exists currently is as good as it gets. The problem has been the quality of rugby, the marketing and pricing strategies. The bottom line is that a very successul team always commands good attendances. Unfortnately recruitment strategies failed. The Ospreys decided to pick no end of back row players at huge expense (for example), yet forgot to obtain any creativity in the centres. The Blues forgot to obtain one excellent scrummager (just as they were competing in European terms) and the Scarlets haven't had a pack to compete with the likes of Leinster, Leicester or some big French teams, yet have had huge backline resources.
Posted 16:30 28th December 2012
Sincero says...
So depressing... so, Welshies, are you going to fight for your regions, or are you going to Welsh on them and on our league, in time-honoured fashion?
Posted 13:35 28th December 2012
Sincero says...
So depressing... so, Welshies, are you going to fight for your regions, or are you going to Welsh on them and on our league, in time-honoured fashion?
Posted 13:35 28th December 2012
1st58 says...
We do need a No8 desperately, and a back row of Loouw, Fearns and Toby has a really nice look to it.
Simon Taylor should retire, Skirving, Ovens and Mercer are back-ups at best, and Koster is as yet unproven - so I think Bath may be looking for other back rowers to upgrade the squad in the off season.
Posted 13:20 28th December 2012
melkdave says...
Before the welsh fans start,lets all remember that the WRU are talking about the Dragons folding ,though its not their preffered option.Far better imo,for him to go to a finacally stable club atm ,than displacing a welsh youngster from a profesional contract at annother welsh club .In my opinion,the whole regional structure atm in Wales needs looking at,and maybe NEW Clubs set up,basing the regions on old clubs always looked a mistake to me ,as it alienated supporters of other old great clubs .Also they should have spaced them out better ,having all the regional clubs so close to eachother just means whole swathes of Wales have no representation at all.,and they are battling for the same supporter base..One should have been based in north Wales and one in central Wales
Posted 12:55 28th December 2012
BMakka8 says...
Closer to Cardiff than the French clubs, so WRFU should probably accept it.
Posted 12:04 28th December 2012
makemehappy says...
The only question related to which club, other than the about to fold (in its current capacity) Dragons, he'd be playing for.
Posted 11:46 28th December 2012
lardon says...
Baths sugar daddy is surely going to be sending them over the salary cap........
Posted 11:34 28th December 2012
sbobrfc says...
And so, the move towards football slowly continues. Please reject it Dragons, so that Bath look to their own academy or borders!
Posted 11:22 28th December 2012
jamesliveinhope says...
mixed feelings, as a Bath fan this would be great news, he's a class act and in a position which we are lacking at the moment. As a rugby fan "transfer fees"????? - I am not an old fart (actually I am but not in the blazered conservative Will Carling description) I understand that progress is progress for better or worse BUT, do we not run the risk of creating a player free-for-all if we accept this kind of behaviour.
On the flipside, if Dragons are willing to contemplate an offload of elite playing staff, is it conceivable that the region may not be looking too far into the future in light of the WRU's recent remarks.
Posted 11:19 28th December 2012