How do the Welsh exiles fare under new system?
THE Welsh Rugby Union’s scrapping of Gatland’s Law may not have been a bolt out of the blue.
But the new selection policy, which will prevent Rhys Webb from playing for Wales when he joins Toulon next season, certainly was.
Under the new system, from next term exiled players will only be able to play Test rugby for Wales if they have 60 or more caps.
It will impact players who have agreed deals to move away from next season, notably Northampton-bound fly-half Dan Biggar and Webb.
Biggar already has 56 caps for Wales, so providing he picks up four more caps this season, he will be fine to continue his international career next term.
But scrum-half Webb only has 28 caps, so has no chance of reaching the required figure, meaning his Test career will come to a halt. And what of the players already plying their trade in the Aviva Premiership?
We look at how the big names stand and those who have big decisions to make in the future .....
ROSS MORIARTY
The barnstorming Gloucester back-rower is set to become the first big-name player after Rhys Webb to be caught up in the new selection policy. With just 17 Welsh caps to his name and his Gloucester contract running out next summer the 23-year-old has some major decisions to make.
Does he move across to Wales, with the Scarlets thought to be coveting the ball-carrying battering ram, or stay in England with a host of Aviva Premiership clubs waving a fat cheque book in his direction?
LIAM WILLIAMS
In the first few months of a threeyear deal with European champions Saracens. With 43 caps already in the bank, the 26-year-old has time on his side to break the new 60-Test mark at Allianz Park before the new selection policy would become an issue.
TOMAS FRANCIS
The 23-times capped tighthead put pen to paper on a contract extension with the Exeter Chiefs in the summer of 2016.
Tied to the Aviva Premiership champions until May 2019, so the 25-year-old front-rower has time on his side before the new ruling becomes an issue for the York-born star.
But would have to return when his deal is up as he’ll be shy of 60 caps.
OWEN WILLIAMS
The former Leicester Tigers back is in the first few months of a contract with Aviva Premiership rivals Gloucester.
The length of his Kingsholm deal is undisclosed, but for the No.10/centre who made his Wales debut against Tonga in Auckland this summer, will have a couple of years to play with before deciding which side of the Severn his future lies.
RICHARD HIBBARD
The Gloucester hooker is an outside bet to build on his 38 Welsh caps despite a number of stirring displays for the Cherry & Whites.
Signed an undisclosed contract extension with the west country club back in November, 2016.
RHYS PRIESTLAND
One of the form No. 10s in the Aviva Premiership this term signed a contract extension with Bath in January this year to take him to the end of this season.
The 30-year-old said recently he doesn’t expect Wales to come calling and is currently 12 caps short of the 60-Test mark.
THOMAS YOUNG
The Aviva Premiership find of last season only signed a contract extension with Wasps 12 months ago for an undisclosed period.
The back-rower, who made his Test bow in the summer and has two caps to his name, looks to have a few more years before deciding on his future but will clearly have to come home if he wants a Wales career.
GEORGE NORTH
Signed a new deal at Northampton Saints in November, 2015, with his contract due to run out the following summer. With 69 Welsh caps to his name he’s already through the 60-Test threshold.
JAMIE ROBERTS, left
The Harlequins and Lions centre will come to the end of his Twickenham Stoop contract in the summer of 2018.
With 93 Welsh caps to his name there’s no danger the former Lions star will be caught up in the new selection policy.
TAULUPE FALETAU
The Lions No.8 is on contract at Bath until the summer of 2019 and is already through the new Welsh 60-cap threshold by six international appearances.
LUKE CHARTERIS
His Bath deal runs out in the summer of 2019 and the giant lock already has 74 caps under his belt.