Wales clear way to pick all four of their Lions
WALES will give all four of their English-based Lions a clear run to the World Cup by removing any obstacle to their selection.
The WRU will announce they have taken steps towards protecting the immediate Test futures of Taulupe Faletau, George North, Liam Williams and Jamie Roberts despite fears of cross-border transfers affecting their international careers.
All four will be given immunity from falling foul of the WRU’s own selection policy supposedly designed to favour stay-at-home players for their loyalty as well as those returning from foreign fields.
The most recent, Scarlets’ Leigh Halfpenny, would have forced Wales to omit one major ‘wild card’, conceivably himself, had Toulon’s U-turn on his contract not forced him to end his exile prematurely.
Wales will increase the number of ‘wild card’ selections from three to four with immediate effect through to the end of the World Cup in 2019. It then reverts to two which leaves Warren Gatland’s successor with a hospital pass.
By a happy coincidence that increase, as stipulated in the policy document drawn up three years ago, enables Gatland to pick the four without penalty. They had waived the right to automatic selection by rejecting Welsh offers in favour of more lucrative terms in England.
Wales are in the process of finalising their revised list of players ‘caught’ under the rule.
It will leave Rhys Priestland as the odd man out as he has been since his last Test appearance, in New Zealand last summer.
Priestland, in his third season at Bath since turning down a contract offered by the Scarlets, began the campaign against Leicester yesterday as the starting fly-half in preference to Freddie Burns.
While Priestland remains on the ‘wild card’ list, another Bath player will be treated as if he never left Wales. Luke Charteris, out of regional rugby since leaving the Dragons for Perpignan in 2012, has been treated no differently to a home-based second row despite Cardiff Blues’ attempt to sign him two years ago.
The 34-year-old lock chose Bath instead, claiming the Blues made their offer after he had signed for the English club. The WRU’s decision not to declare him a wild card raised eyebrows.
They had hoped to announce their list tomorrow along with the revised policy. They have been forced to delay because they are still in the process of what one source described as ‘checking through the legalities’.
A ruling has to be made on ex-Scarlet fly-half/inside centre Owen Williams. He joined Gloucester from Leicester at the end of last season instead of returning to Wales.