TAULUPE Faletau is in advanced talks over a national dual contract that will see him stay in Wales with Newport Gwent Dragons.

The Wales and Lions number eight’s current deal expires at the end of the season but the Argus understands that Faletau has expressed his desire to sign a dual contract and stay at Rodney Parade.

The Welsh Rugby Union withdrew the offer of an NDC when the 25-year-old from Pontypool missed a deadline last season but it is back on the table.

The governing body are leading negotiations and the hope is that he will soon put pen to paper. That is a remarkable turnaround given that at the end of October it seemed certain that he was heading to Bath.

The Dragons, believing a move was inevitable, had asked the WRU for permission to sell their star to the big-spending Aviva Premiership side for a six-figure transfer fee rather than lose him for nothing in the summer.

The Union put the kibosh on that deal and if Faletau does sign on to stay then it will vindicate the decision of new chief executive Martyn Phillips.

It will also provide another boost for Wales boss Warren Gatland after Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar extended his dual contract last week.

There are currently 17 players on NDCs, including young Dragons backs Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan, and Faletau would be among the most prized signatures.

The number eight has been a constant for Gatland since making his debut against the Barbarians in 2011, winning 52 caps and barely missing a minute of Test rugby.

The fear was that he would go over the border to broaden his rugby horizons – he is well paid at Rodney Parade and it has never been about money – but now he appears likely to stay put.

Bath moved swiftly to sign up Scotland number eight David Denton, paying Edinburgh a transfer fee, and Faletau is leaning towards a new deal with his home region.

Cardiff Blues chairman Peter Thomas made an opportunistic move to sign him after the WRU’s blocking of the move to the Rec but Faletau had made it clear to the Rodney Parade hierarchy that he was not interested in playing for another Welsh club.

Faletau joined the Dragons academy after being spotted playing for Filton College and made his debut for the Rodney Parade region at Edinburgh in 2009.

He has made 100 appearances for the Dragons and was hugely impressive when making his return from a minor knee injury in Sunday’s 22-6 victory against Munster.