NEWPORT Gwent Dragons and Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau insists Italy is all that he has on his mind as dual contract negotiations continue.

The 24-year-old has been a key figure for Warren Gatland since bursting onto the Test scene four years ago and has played every minute of Wales' 16 internationals since he was rested against Tonga in November, 2013.

He is the only specialist number eight in Wales' Six Nations squad yet is the most high profile player yet to be on a dual deal.

This week the WRU announced the latest batch of lock Alun Wyn Jones, fly-half Dan Biggar, scrum-half Rhys Webb, centre Scott Williams and fly-half/full-back Gareth Anscombe.

They follow openside Sam Warburton, blindside Dan Lydiate, lock Jake Ball, tightheads Samson Lee and Rhodri Jones and burgeoning Newport Gwent Dragons pair Tyler Morgan and Hallam Amos in agreeing dual deals.

Faletau's current deal with the Dragons runs out in the summer of 2016 and both Gatland and Lyn Jones are keen to tie him down on a fresh contract, however an announcement is not imminent.

It is understood that the process has been delayed by the back row forward changing agents, joining the Stellar Group that also represent his cousins Mako and Billy Vunipola, the Saracens and England forwards.

The Dragons pushed the boat out to keep Faletau at Rodney Parade in 2013 after his Lions exploits and his signature would take a hefty chunk out of the pot for dual contracts.

Wales assistant Rob Howley said yesterday that other players will be signed up before the World Cup with the governing body and Cardiff Blues also interested in bringing influential centre Jamie Roberts back from Racing Metro.

Faletau, meanwhile, is focused on leading the charge against the Azzurri with Wales needing a big win to put the pressure on England and Ireland in the tussle for the Six Nations title.

"Right now it's not what I am thinking about," he said about a dual contract. "We've got an important game at the weekend and I will deal with that after."

The number eight says if they can top the table despite their opening night disappointment against the English then it will be an even bigger achievement than in 2013 when they fought back from a loss to the Irish in round one.

"We lost the first game and people were on top of us, it'd prove a point I guess but we've got to put in a good performance first against Italy to get the result and it's going to be tough out there," said Faletau.

"Having 2013 as an experience, we knew that we were still capable of coming back and winning the tournament. We've put ourselves in the position now and hopefully we can take the last step."