WARREN Gatland says that Newport Gwent Dragons will need the all clear from the Welsh Rugby Union to cash in on Taulupe Faletau – but stresses the Lions star has his future in his own hands.

The 24-year-old looks bound for Bath with the Aviva Premiership side said to be prepared to pay a six-figure transfer fee to bring him to the Rec after the World Cup.

Faletau, who has not missed a minute of Test rugby since being rested against Tonga in the autumn of 2013, is out of contract next summer and saw the offer of a national dual contract withdrawn after missing a deadline.

Gatland is set to meet with the Pontypool-raised number eight and his father Kuli, the former Tonga and Ebbw Vale lock, to establish what Faletau wants to do.

Gatland said: "My understanding is that Toby is happy where he is at the moment and happy to stay at the Dragons. I don't think he is that keen on going to any of the other regions.

"You see an opportunity to go across to England, which would pacify a few people in terms of the tribalism in Wales.

"Maybe (he sees it as) a good challenge after giving some excellent service for the Dragons.

"Obviously our preference is for players to play in Wales and we want that to happen, but I have always been a great believer in the decision of the player and what is best for the player."

If the back row forward, who went to Filton College in Bristol, says that he sees his future being back over the border then, under the 2014 Rugby Services Agreement, any transfer for the coming season would need to be cleared by Welsh Rugby Union and Pro Rugby Wales bosses.

That is designed to ensure that other regions could step in for a player if they are being sold before the expiry of their contract. The power, however, ultimately lies with the player.

"There has been a little bit of misinformation out there about the process and who gets to make the decisions," said Gatland.

"We are in discussions with the Dragons, the regions and Bath but the person who has got the biggest choice to make is Toby. That's ongoing but hopefully that will get sorted in the next week."

If Faletau moved to Bath next season then he would not see his Wales future affected by the so-called 'Gatland's Law', which favours those playing with the four regions.

The national coach has two 'wildcards' after the World Cup along with special dispensation if there are a raft of injuries in one position – a situation that would lead to Gatland going "cap in hand" to regional coaches to get the all clear.

But, under the RSA, Faletau wouldn't be regarded as a wildcard if he is sold for financial reasons. That means Gatland may secretly be pleased that one of his star players is being exposed to top-end Aviva Premiership and Champions Cup rugby.