TAULUPE Faletau will sit out Newport Gwent Dragons’ Guinness Pro12 derby against the Scarlets on Friday but the Bath target has been registered in the Rodney Parade side’s European squad.

The 24-year-old number eight is expected to head to the Aviva Premiership after the Dragons sought permission from the Welsh Rugby Union to sell him for a six-figure sum before his contract expires at the end of the season.

The Pontypool-raised back row forward is still on holiday after his World Cup exploits and will not feature in Friday’s derby in Llanelli (kick-off 6pm).

The Dragons did register him for their European Rugby Challenge Cup last week, although that could easily be switched should the matter be sorted before Bath’s Champions Cup opener against Toulon on November 15.

Head coach Kingsley Jones said he had nothing to add to the statement made by chief executive Stuart Davies last week, which admitted they had approached the WRU to rubber stamp the sale, but did say they are well covered in the back row.

The Rodney Parade side have options at number eight in the form of Ed Jackson, Lewis Evans, Nick Crosswell and the Wales Under-20s pair Harri Keddie and Ollie Griffiths.

“Our squad is really strong in the back five of the scrum and Ed Jackson has been good but we will see what comes of it all,” said the former Wales flanker.

The Dragons expect wing/full-back Tom Prydie to return against the Pro12 leaders on Friday after a knee injury but captain Rhys Thomas (foot) faces another week on the sidelines.