NEWPORT Gwent Dragons still expect Taulupe Faletau to line up in their colours after World Cup duty despite more speculation linking the Wales star with a move over the border.

There was talk during the Six Nations that the 24-year-old was being lined up by Bath and rumours have resurfaced about a move to the Rec while Northampton have also been linked with the Lions ace.

Faletau, who has made 97 appearances for the Dragons since his 2009 debut, has a year left on the bumper deal that he signed in the summer of 2013 and it increasingly looks like his long-term future is away from Rodney Parade with Aviva Premiership clubs having registered their interest with his agent.

However, Rodney Parade bosses insist that the situation is the same as it was in April when director of rugby Lyn Jones stated Faletau would "without a shadow of a doubt" be in his squad in 2015/16.

"We know there has been talk of him moving to England but as far as we are concerned nothing has changed and he has another year left on his contract," said chairman Martyn Hazell.

The Pontypool-raised back row forward is one of Wales boss Warren Gatland's key men – he has played every minute of Test rugby since the Tonga encounter in November 2013 – but did not sign a national dual contract.

Faletau missed a deadline and his offer was withdrawn with Gatland saying: "It is disappointing that he did not sign the national dual contract, but there has been interest in him from other clubs in the UK.

"That is not to say there will not be a contract offer to him next season and having a deadline for players to sign has put me in a difficult position. To have gone back on that when others had signed would not have been fair and we could not make an exception."

Faletau said before the end of last season that changing agents had delayed matters but that he hoped a dual contract was still a possibility and committed to at least seeing out his Dragons deal.

Bath denied speculation that they were keen to pay a fee to take him to the Rec in 2015/16 and number eight Leroy Houston was one of the stars of their season as they finished as Aviva Premiership runners-up.

However, the rumours have resurfaced now that back row forward Carl Fearns, the man who knocked out Gavin Henson in a Bath pub, is moving to Lyon.

The gossip surrounding Faletau joining George North at Franklin's Gardens has been fuelled by the Saints stating that they have room in their budget for another signing with their priority a number eight following the departure of USA powerhouse Samu Manoa to Toulon.