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Warren Gatland has revealed that the Welsh Rugby Union has withdrawn the offer of a national dual contract to Taulupe Faletau, saying he is ‘disappointed’ the player missed a deadline to sign one.

The future of the Dragons No.8, who won Lions Test honours in Australia and has been an integral part of the first choice Wales XV since the 2011 World Cup, remains up in the air as the 2014-15 campaign draws to a close.

But fears are now growing that he could become another top star lost to the Welsh game, with only one year left on his current deal at Rodney Parade and Gatland confirming there is interest in him from ‘other clubs in the UK’.

“It was disappointing he didn’t sign a national dual contract,” Gatland told WalesOnline in a wide-ranging interview.

“He had changed agents at the time, he was offered one and it was up to him whether he wanted to sign it.

“He has another year left on his contract with the Dragons and there has been interest in him from other clubs in the UK.

“But it is off the table for him at the moment.”

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Gatland indicated that the door is not totally closed on Faletau doing a U-turn and committing to one of the 60-40 jointly funded WRU-Regional contracts.

But he also pointed out that for the time being a stand had to be taken with a selection of Faletau’s team mates, thought to include Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb, having met the same deadline.

Gatland added: “That’s not to say there wouldn’t be one (a dual contract) on offer to him (Faletau) for next season but it’s off the table at the moment.

“The reason for that is we had long protracted discussions with agents about certain things and the irony is that there is more concessions on the dual contracts than there is on club contracts.

“We put a deadline on players having to be signed otherwise they would be taken off the table and he was aware of that.

“The others all signed and so...

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“It put me in a bit of a difficult situation when players and agents have been told a deadline.

“To go back on that when others have signed would not have been fair, we couldn’t make an excpetion.”

Bath have been linked with a move for Faletau on numerous occasions in the recent past but a raft of other English and French clubs are certain to be monitoring his situation.

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It would be a major blow for Gatland and the Regional game to see him depart, especially with Jamie Roberts having committed to Harlequins after the World Cup, declining the chance to return to Cardiff Blues.

Gatland has re-iterated he wants as many international stars to stay in Wales, but said he will continue to treat each case of overseas-based players on their own merits.

“It hasn’t come yet to be having to make an example of anyone,” he said.

“I think we always have to respect what players want to do but at the same time protect our game here.”

Dove Men Tests:

Wales v Ireland, Millennium Stadium, Saturday 8th August, Kick-off 2.30pm, priced at £50, £35 and £20 (£10 under 16 concessions)

Wales v Italy, Millennium Stadium, Saturday 5th September, Kick-off 5.00pm, priced at £35 and £20 (£10 under 16 concessions)

Tickets are available from wru.wales/tickets, by calling Ticketmaster on 0844 847 1881, in person from the WRU Ticket Office on Westgate Street or your local club.

One week booking fee holiday applies to the WRU website. Group offers include 10 per cent off orders over 10 tickets or more, Family package for £50 (2 adult, 2 U16’s), 2 adults free when 8 concessions are purchased.