FORMER Newport Gwent Dragons back row forward Netani Talei could be in line for a showdown with old teammate Taulupe Faletau after being named in Fiji’s extended squad for the World Cup.

Talei, 32, did not feature for the Flying Fijians against Wales last autumn because of a foot injury but has been named in the 51-strong group for the Pacific Nations Cup and England 2015.

The back row forward, who made 20 Dragons appearances in 2013/14 and now plays for Harlequins, is joined in the squad by former Cross Keys fly-half/centre Seremia Bai.

Wales sneaked past Fiji 17-13 at the Millennium Stadium last autumn despite the visitors playing for most of the second half with 14 men following the dismissal of prop Campese Ma’afu.

Warren Gatland’s men will be wary of a squad that features the likes of Crusaders powerhouse Nemani Nadolo, Bordeaux livewire Metuisela Talebula,Leicester wing Vereniki Goneva, Ospreys centre Josh Matavesi, Bath-bound scrum-half Niko Matawalu and Glasgow lock Leone Nakarawa.

Wales lock horns with Fiji in Cardiff on Thursday, October 1, five days after their huge clash with England at Twickenham.

And the tournament hosts face a tricky decision about whether they include controversial hooker Dylan Hartley after he was suspended for a headbutt.

The Northampton man pleaded guilty to the offence against Saracens’ Jamie George and cannot play in England’s three World Cup warm-up games and the tournament opener against Fiji.

Given that Stuart Lancaster will name three hookers in his squad, including Hartley would be a risk given that one of his remaining pair could suffer an injury ahead of the clash with the Islanders.

The Saints hooker missed the Lions’ tour to Australia because of suspension and his career suspension tally now stands at 54 weeks with previous offences including elbowing, eye-gouging, biting, punching and swearing.

Hartley admitted he was on his "last chance" with England after serving the 11-week ban for swearing at referee Wayne Barnes in the 2013 Aviva Premiership final that cost him his place on that summer's Lions tour.