HE’S enjoyed glorious highs with Wales and the Lions but Taulupe Faletau has a burning desire to celebrate on the European stage with Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 24-year-old number eight has won a Grand Slam, Six Nations title and series in Australia and played a starring role at a World Cup but has had precious little to toast with his home region.

However, Pontypool-raised Faletau will be to the fore when the Dragons take on Edinburgh in the last four of the Challenge Cup at Murrayfield, the stadium where he made his regional debut in 2009.

If the back row forward – who was immense in last Sunday’s stunning 25-22 victory against Guinness Pro12 champions Leinster – can inspire his side to a fifth win on the spin then the Dragons will be in a first final in their 12-year history.

“Success would mean a lot to me. Since I started here all I have wanted for the club is success and to get that would be great,” said Faletau, who played in the 2011 LV= Cup semi-final defeat to Gloucester.

“It’s new for me to come back from the Six Nations with something to play for. I’ve never had anything like this, and that’s the same for most of the other boys too, so it’s exciting stuff.

“It’s always good for the club and the boys that you train with every day to be doing well. The boys are building a spirit and working towards a culture of the way that we want to play.

“There is the right balance there with the experienced guys and the exciting young talent coming through. We have started to build something here.”

The Dragons are slight underdogs for the clash in Scotland but have thrived away from Rodney Parade this season with victories against Stade Francais, Newcastle, Leinster, Cardiff Blues and Treviso.

“The boys have done well on the road to build momentum and confidence ahead of this game,” said Faletau, whose agent is dealing with negotiations to extend his contract beyond next summer.

“If we can have a steadier first half than we have in recent weeks (they trailed against the Blues and Leinster at the break) and keep the second half the same then hopefully that will be enough to get over the line.”

Faletau was surprisingly named on the bench for the quarter-final against the Blues when director of rugby Lyn Jones opted to stick with his in-form trio of James Benjamin, James Thomas and Nick Crosswell.

“The boys were playing well and there was a good balance so I couldn’t complain and just had to do the role that I was given,” said the Wales ace, who was on the field early anyway because of an injury to lock Andrew Coombs.

“It does drive you a bit more because you want to be in the starting XV and you are motivated to get back in it. Fair play to the coaches, they keep us on our toes.”