NEWPORT Gwent Dragons chairman Martyn Hazell has quashed rumours of star number eight Taulupe Faletau being bought out of the final year of his contract by Bath.

The Wales and Lions back row forward was yesterday linked with the big-spending Aviva Premiership side, who were said to be prepared to pay a transfer fee for the 24-year-old.

It is a carbon copy of the story from 2013 when Bath were reported as being ready to swoop for Filton-educated Faletau only for him to pen a fresh three-year deal with the Dragons.

And Hazell insists that their star player, who has made 90 appearances for the region since his 2009 debut in Edinburgh, will be in Dragons colours when he returns from World Cup duty in November.

"We know nothing about any move and have had no contact from Bath or Toby or his agent," said the chairman. "Toby is with us. He is our player. He is staying with us.

"He is under contract for another year and we would like him to stay longer as he is our only player in the Wales (matchday) squad at the moment."

Bath coach Darren Edwards, the former Dragons head coach, also denied that moves had been made to attract Faletau to the Rec.

“Toby is contracted. I know he's contracted because I did his contract,” he told the Bath Chronicle.

“I'm sure people working on his behalf are looking for the best possible place for him so, he's a good player, but he's just been linked with us.

"We're constantly being linked with players and if we've got anyone to announce, or any opportunities to get quality players in, we would.

"Recruitment here is on-going. We're always looking for the right players to join Bath - it's the process of modern-day professional rugby.”

It remains a worry, however, that Faletau will be tempted over the border at the end of his current deal.

He has established himself as one of the best number eights in the world and has been a mainstay of Warren Gatland's Wales side, playing every minute of the 17 Tests since he was rested against Tonga in November, 2013.

As such he has been a glaring omission from the list of 12 Wales stars that have so far penned national dual contracts with the Welsh Rugby Union and their regions.

Dragons chief executive Stuart Davies said on Tuesday that they would strive to make a breakthrough in talks now that the Six Nations is over.

"I am not surprised that there is interest from Bath or any other leading club such is the quality of Toby," he said.

"He is a name that is known across the world when it comes to international players so of course he is going to be of interest elsewhere.

"What I can say is that we are extremely keen to keep him and it is my understanding that Toby is very happy at the Dragons and that the reason he hasn't signed is nothing to do with any issue at the Dragons.

"Once I've spoken to Toby some more I will understand a little more but what I can assure Dragons fans is that he is not someone that we want to lose."