Taulupe Faletau© AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS

Taulupe Faletau's future is still unclear after the Warren Gatland confirmed the Welsh Rugby Union has withdrawn its offer of a dual contract.

Faletau's contract with the Newport Gwent Dragons is up at the end of next season and he has been heavily linked with a switch to Bath. The WRU has tabled a dual contract to the star No.8 but the deadline for the offer has passed and Faletau is yet to reveal where his future lies.

"It was disappointing he didn't sign a national dual contract," Warren Gatland said on Wales Online. "He has another year left on his contract with the Dragons and there has been interest in him from other clubs in the UK.

"That's not to say there wouldn't be one on offer to him for next season, but it's off the table at the moment."

He added: "It put me in a bit of a difficult situation when players and agents have been told a deadline. To go back on that when others have signed would not have been fair, we couldn't make an exception."

While Faletau could end up in the Aviva Premiership in time for the 2016-17 season, Jamie Roberts is set to join Harlequins next term. Despite Roberts opting to continue playing his club rugby outside of Wales, Gatland will continue to pick those based outside of their regional system.

England seem to be sticking to their guns on their overseas policy but Gatland believes Australia have been smart in option to open the door on exiles like Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell.

"I think they have been smart," he said. "I think if players have done 60 or Super 15 matches they have done their apprenticeship and are entitled to have an experience overseas.

"This has allowed players that have given a lot to Australian rugby to go away and have an experience, earn some money and still play international rugby. From England's point of view I think with their numbers they are able to have that hard and fast rule.

"I would be doing the same as Stuart Lancaster if I were in his shoes. For us it's different, it's tough with only four teams and some situations have been difficult when players have been released by a region but then haven't been wanted by the other three. Then there has been no option but to leave Wales."