Wales: Dan Lydiate among 12 players offered dual contracts

Wales flanker Dan Lydiate is among 12 players to be offered dual contracts by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

Wales coach Warren Gatland says the contracts could be signed in the next few weeks with more offers to come.

"[The contracts] will be sent out to the agents or given to the players today," said Gatland.

He did not say who will be offered deals, but Dragons coach Lyn Jones said contracts are on offer to Taulupe Faletau, Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan.

Gatland added: "It's up to the players to accept those and in the next two or three weeks we'll have them done.

"There might be another batch of three or four that might be done early in December."

Gatland did not say who will be offered deals, but Dragons coach Lyn Jones said contracts are on offer to Taulupe Faletau, Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan.

Dragons star Taulupe Faletau was born in Tonga

Jones' revelation suggests Wales flanker Lydiate may not be returning to the Dragons.

Lydiate, 26, played for the region between 2006 and 2013 and reached an agreement to leave Racing Metro after just 17 months in France.

The Ospreys are favourites to sign him but a decision on his future has yet to be resolved.

The WRU and four regions - Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - signed a six-year agreement in August after almost two years of disagreements over funding.

As part of that deal, the parties announced that a number of players would be offered central contracts with the costs shared 60/40 between the WRU and the regions.

Gatland will be heavily involved in the selection of the players to be offered the contracts.

To date, only Cardiff Blues' Wales captain Sam Warburton has been confirmed on a deal.

Commenting on number eight Faletau, wing Amos and uncapped 19-year-old centre Morgan, Dragons director of rugby Jones said: "How dual contracts are going to work I'm not sure.

"What is important is that there is a plan with us that we can keep the boys with talent playing in Wales."

Jones also hopes the new deals will help make the four Welsh regions more successful.

"It has been a long time since a region has been successful and the only way that is going to happen is if the best players in Wales stay here," he added.

Gareth Davies, chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, added: "A lot of extremely hard work has gone into reaching this landmark stage.

"With contracts being issued to a significant number of players it shows we are all determined to work together for the benefit of Welsh rugby.

"We have to work in unity and this is an example of all parties working together to achieve the best outcome for Welsh rugby."