Welsh Grand Slam winner Toby Faletau will not be leaving Rodney Parade this summer despite interest from a host of leading English and French top-flight clubs, according to Newport chairman Martyn Hazell.
A host of big-name Welsh internationals, including the likes of Mike Phillips, James Hook and Gethin Jenkins currently ply their trade in France, while Dwayne Peel is at Aviva Premiership Sale Sharks.
Bath and big-spending Racing Metro are believed to be leading the chase for the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam winner but Hazell insists Faletau will not leave the Dragons before the conclusion of his contract at the end of the 2013/14 season.
Faletau, who is widely considered a certainty for this summer’s Lions tour to Australia, would command a big six-figure sum but Hazell’s stance is likely to scupper any imminent deal.
He told the South Wales Argus: “Toby is not for sale and is not going anywhere.
“There are a number of clubs interested in him – two English clubs in particular – but it’s important we hold on to him and we will be doing what we can to keep Toby here (beyond the date when his current contract expires in 2014).”
