Newport Gwent Dragons warn off suitors eyeing World Cup stars

Faletau made his Wales debut against the Barbarians in June

Newport Gwent Dragons team manager Robert Beale has admitted other clubs have enquired about the regions' World Cup stars.

Dan Lydiate, Toby Faletau and Luke Charteris have shone for Wales.

Despite being courted by other clubs, Beale is confident the Dragons can keep hold of the trio.

"Obviously everybody will look at those players who are currently out in New Zealand and probably would love to have them in their squad," he said.

"They've achieved their ambitions of playing for Wales [and] I guess the next ambition is the next Lions tour.

"It's my job to try and secure the future of all the players that are at the Dragons and in particular what I would consider our major assets.

"I don't really want to go into detail where they are contractually but they're all contracted here for this coming season and I'm in negotiations thereafter. I'm confident we can retain those players here.

"It's up to us as a business to grow our business to meet the expectations of our players. This business going forward really needs to retain its major assets.

"The guys are happy playing here, there's an excellent coaching set-up and the facilities are improving."

Lydiate, Faletau and Charteris have been selected for Wales' bronze-medal match against Australia in Auckland on Friday.

Fellow Dragon Lloyd Burns is among the replacements while wing Aled Brew has also been a member of the squad in New Zealand.

Beale said the region had taken great pride in their achievements and revealed he had spoken with lock Charteris.

"I expressed to Luke how proud we are of all our five players out there," added Beale.

"They've put us on the map and in particular Luke, Dan and Toby [who] have been ever present.

"Probably Lloyd and Aled haven't had as much rugby as they would have liked but nonetheless they have been an integral part of that squad in New Zealand.

"We're really, really delighted with the performance of all of those players."

Beale has also backed Warren Gatland's decision in moving Faletau to openside flanker in the absence of suspended captain Sam Warburton.

"We've exposed Toby to the number seven shirt on a few occasions over the last season. He is a very talented and gifted player.

"I think Dan Lydiate has firmly established himself as a six and I think Warren Gatland has got the balance just right."