TOBY Faletau, the find of the season, says he wants to commit himself long-term to Newport Gwent Dragons.

The Tongan-born No 8 sensation is poised to make his debut for Wales against the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium on June 4 which would crown his first full season at senior regional level.

He was included in the Wales squad for the autumn internationals, but didn’t actually take the field and then he was named for the Six Nations, but an ankle injury forced him to withdraw, But he carried on undaunted and in the last fortnight has won a string of awards – the most promising Welsh player of the year and then the Magners League young player of the year.

All of that fails to make any impression on the softly-spoken, shy Faletau, but he knows what he wants —- to make his debut for Wales and to remain with the Dragons.

“At the start of the season I just wanted to try to get into the Dragons team and take it from there. Then I had two ankle injuries, the first time I needed an operation and I was disappointed to have to drop out of the Wales squad,” he said.

“But it would be an honour to play for Wales, to play at a higher level, and I want to stay with the Dragons.

“I’m happy there, there’s a good spirit and the crowd is really good as well.

“The boys have played well for the last few months and getting five into the Wales squad is the reward. We’re a young team and if we stick together we should do well.”

Faletau has got another two years left on his contract and helping him in his expected Wales debut next month will be regional teammate Dan Lydiate while his best mate is fellow Wales squad member and Dragon Lloyd Burns.

“Dan is a great guy and a great player, and I’m best mates with Lloyd, we pick one another up in the car,” he said, the hooker giving him a lift back to his Pontnewynydd home from the Magners League awards dinner in Ireland last weekend.

Faletau may have been born in Tonga, moving here when he was seven, but he is more Gwent than almost any other Dragons player.

Through the age groups he has played for RTB Ebbw Vale, Panteg, Cross Keys and Newport, though he spent three years at Filton College where he was spotted by Dragons academy chief Will Thomas.

He has managed to outplay New Zealanders Jerry Collins and Xavier Rush in the two recent Welsh derbies and if he plays against the Barbarians will meet another No 8 great in Italian captain Sergio Parisse.

Not that anything much impresses him and names mean absolutely nothing.

“Parisse is a great player though I watched George Smith (the ex-Australia captain) growing up and was always impressed by his speed to the breakdown,” he said.

“It was great to get the awards, but really all I do is get out on the pitch and have a go. Before a game I do feel nervous but when I’m out there I just play.”

His dad and mentor Kuli has been in Gwent for 20 years or more having played for Ebbw Vale and is now a security officer, while he has two brothers and two sisters.

“I’d definitely like to go to the World Cup, my family would make the effort to come down and watch me,” he said.

“I’m Tongan I guess, but I’ve lived here most of my life. When we came over it was the summer, but in Tonga we were trying to catch the shade whereas here I was inside in the cold.

“I didn’t really watch any rugby then, I was too busy playing with friends, but I’ve had good support from my dad and my family.

“But they didn’t push me, it just happened for me. My parents are quite strict, I go to church when I can and I only drink now and again. I’m finding it boring sitting around the house at the moment.”

Faletau won’t be sitting for much longer at his rate of progress, he’ll be flying – all the way to New Zealand for the World Cup.