Shane Williams column: Taulupe Faletau veto good news for Wales and regions

Taulupe Faletau's transfer saga may have been a mess but hopefully it could prove a turning point for Welsh rugby. For too long it has been one-way traffic out of Wales and it is time to take a stand.
Since the early days of regional rugby when we saw the likes of Justin Marshall, Marty Holah and David Lyons come to Wales, the stream of young Welsh players leaving has turned into a flood.
It hasn't really affected Wales too much and I suspect Warren Gatland has not been that bothered. But it has been crippling to the regions and now, at last, we are seeing the two sides of Welsh rugby work together to retain that talent.
Gatland blocked Faletau's move and in doing so, has set out his stall, and that of the WRU, that we have to do all we can, not just to keep players in Wales but maybe even get some back.
National dual contracts for youngsters like Tyler Morgan was the first step while Paul James made his debut last week for the Ospreys after returning from Bath.
There are rumours of Jonathan Davies and George North, both in the final year of their respective contracts, possibly heading back to Wales.
And you cannot over-emphasise what that would do for the regions both on and off the field. Wales are doing well but now it is time for Cardiff Blues, Scarlets, Ospreys and Newport Gwent Dragons to really start making a mark in the Pro12 and, especially, Europe.
To do that, they simply have to have their best players rather than just being feeder clubs to the big boys in France and England. Hopefully this can be another major step in that direction.
Ireland have managed to do it. Guys like Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell could have made a fortune if they'd moved, but Irish rugby did what was necessary to make it worth their while staying put.
It's all well and good to play youngsters, but to challenge for titles you need the likes of Jamie Roberts back at the Arms Park, Faletau at Rodney Parade, George North at Parc y Scarlets or Alun Wyn Jones at the Liberty Stadium.
Commercially, it would make a world of difference to the clubs and fans want to see their local heroes.
Taulupe clearly had his head turned by an offer from Bath and, in many ways, I can't blame him. Players should always have the choice and there are plenty of reasons why players look abroad.
Sometimes there simply aren't any other offers, or it's at a stage in their career when they have to think about the money, and sometimes it's simply an offer that can't be refused.
I would always advise players to make sure they look after their families because professional sport is becoming a shorter and shorter career, and for Leigh Halfpenny and James Hook, they would have been crazy to turn down the euros on offer in France.
But it comes at a price, as we've seen now with Rhys Priestland. I find it strange that he has opted to take a self-imposed 18-month sabbatical from international rugby.
It's not like he was James Hook who was being left out in the cold at every opportunity. Gatland and Rob Howley have put a lot of faith in Rhys over the past four years and he was still part of the squad.
Maybe he thinks the writing is on the wall with Gareth Anscombe and Matthew Morgan coming through. But I hope he is planning to use the next 18 months to mount a real challenge for the Wales No.10 jersey or he may live to regret the decision.