Thursday 25 June 2015 19:26, UK
Wales coach Warren Gatland says Taulupe (Toby) Faletau’s international career will not be hampered if the number eight moves to Bath.
The hard-running back row has a year left on his Newport Gwent Dragons deal but he may be brought out of that deal, with Premiership side Bath interested in signing the 24-year-old.
Faletau has represented the British and Irish Lions and been capped 45 times by his country but it has been suggested that a move to England could present problems for Wales.
Under what has become known as ‘Gatland’s Law’, only two wild card selections from those who play outside of the country will be permitted for Wales after the World Cup this autumn.
However, speaking ahead of a pre-World Cup training camp in Switzerland, Gatland suggested that the terms of the 2014 deal struck between the Welsh Rugby Union and the country's four professional regions does allow for exceptions.
Gatland said: “We're discussing it (Faletau's situation) at the moment with the Dragons, the regions and Bath.
"Toby's got the biggest choice to make, that's on-going, and hopefully that gets sorted out in the next week.
"There is potential there for Toby to move, that's up to him, but he wouldn't be hampered by that.
"There are exceptions in the policy and one of them with a country as small as Wales is that we have to look at the financial considerations.
"The regions argued for financial reasons that a player could be released from his contract and that's what has happened in this situation.
"When clubs come looking for Toby and offer a significant transfer fee, then it's a business decision for one of our regions to potentially sell that player on, because they are struggling financially.
"So, if Toby does leave he would be protected. He would be one of the players on that quota list because someone's come looking for him and it's not his decision to go."
Gatland also confirmed that, were Faletau to move, there would be a full release clause in his Bath contract which guaranteed his availability for all Wales games.
"If he didn't have full release we wouldn't be considering releasing him,” said the coach. “Why would you do that?
"I'm going to speak to Toby but my understanding is that he is quite happy to stay at the Dragons.
So, if Toby does leave he would be protected. He would be one of the players on that quota list because someone's come looking for him and it's not his decision to go.
"I don't think he's that keen on going to any other region, but maybe he would see an opportunity to go across the water (River Severn) as a good challenge for him.”
Gatland also confirmed that utility back Liam Williams faces a fight to be fit for the World Cup, having being sidelined for at least 10 weeks with a foot injury.
Williams had surgery on Wednesday and the 24-year-old will miss the two World Cup warm-up games against Ireland in August.
Wales kick-off their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on 20 September but Gatland said: “We won't be calling anyone else up, as I am optimistic he'll be ready.
“He's been complaining about a sore foot for a while. It's a shame he's picked up that injury, so he's going to spend a bit of time with the Scarlets and we're going to condition him off his feet.
"Hopefully he can show some positive signs to get back in contention."
Gatland, who has already lost centre Jonathan Davies for the entire World Cup, is also confident Samson Lee will be fit, after the prop ruptured an Achilles tendon during the Six Nations victory over Ireland in March.
