Taulupe Faletau 'minded' to stay in Wales - WRU's Gareth Davies

Dragons number eight Taulupe Faletau has won 45 Wales caps and played in one Lions Test

Taulupe Faletau is "minded" to remain with Newport Gwent Dragons next season with talks over a national dual contract continuing, says Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies.

The Wales and British and Irish Lions number eight, 24, has also said he expects to stay at Rodney Parade.

"I know discussions have taken place with Taulupe," Davies said.

"But there were some difficulties as he was changing agents so I think those discussions are ongoing."

The back-row - capped 45 times by Wales and once by the Lions - has another year left on his current deal, and had been linked with a move to English Premiership side Bath.

But Dragons have shown good signs of improvement this season, reaching the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup and recording home and away wins over Irish powers Leinster for the first time.

"I think it was upheaval [for Faletau]. He wasn't quite sure which direction he was travelling I suspect," Davies added.

"But perhaps now with a greater success for the Dragons as well in relative terms, perhaps he's minded to stay in Wales and hopefully he does."

Davies added: "[Wales coach] Warren Gatland deals with the players he wants to sign. He's only just returned from New Zealand so I'm sure he and Taulupe will be talking."

Twelve players, including Wales captain Sam Warburton, have so far signed the new national dual contracts which are part-funded by the WRU and the regions.