NEWPORT Gwent Dragons chief executive Stuart Davies says there is no appetite to defy the Welsh Rugby Union after being denied permission to sell Taulupe Faletau to Bath.

The 24-year-old Wales number eight has been at the centre of a long-running transfer saga but will now play the 2015/16 season at Rodney Parade rather than the Rec.

Faletau had made it clear that he wanted to speak to big-spending Aviva Premiership side Bath and negotiations were held between the clubs over a six-figure transfer to buy him out of the final year of his contract at Rodney Parade.

Under the Rugby Services Agreement signed last summer, the Dragons sought the green light from the WRU to cash in on their star player rather than lose him for nothing next year.

The governing body turned down their request and the Rodney Parade hierarchy have no desire to plough on regardless and Faletau will be included in Friday’s squad for the Guinness Pro12 derby at the Scarlets.

“We have been very mindful of operating within the provisions of the rugby services agreement,” said Davies.

“The RSA recognises that if the national coach doesn’t give permission for a player’s release while he is in contract, should we choose to release him anyway we would be in breach of the agreement and there may be possible sanctions.

“That was not an option that I wanted to entertain. We are disappointed with the decision but mindful of how significant a course of action that would be.”

“We’ve been fighting our corner for five or six months and fighting hard in terms of debate, challenge and trying to pick our way through to a desired outcome rather than legal challenge or any fallout in that respect," he continued.

“We have no appetite for that, that would undermine all that has gone before in terms of bringing the regions and Union together.”

The WRU will now attempt to get Faletau to accept a national dual contract but the odds are that he will end up at Bath next season.

The Dragons will try to get full value out of one of their star players and he will join up with his teammates at their Ystrad Mynach training base tomorrow and be involved in the Pro12 clash in Llanelli on Friday.

Davies said: “His immediate response has been very positive in terms of returning to the Dragons and getting back to business as usual.”