McNicholl not right for Wales just yet

I WAS delighted – and a little surprised – to read some excellent comments from Scarlets wing Johnny McNicholl this week on his thoughts about playing for Wales.

Johnny’s admittance that he doesn’t feel Welsh right now and that he’s unsure whether that will change in a couple of years was something I thought was very honest. Hats off to him for that.

Having been born in New Zealand, what he said about the potential to qualify for the country in which he plays his regional rugby was a refreshing take on what’s been a controversial issue for a number of years.

Eligibility laws have seen a number of players qualify for other nations and I know both Johnny, below, and his teammate Hadleigh Parkes could potentially play for Wales in the next few seasons.

I’m not sure that would be the right move to take. Both Johnny and Hadleigh are excellent players, guys who had a key role in the Scarlets’ stunning PRO12 triumph.

But, can I see them playing for Wales? No I can’t. That’s not a slight on their ability, far from it. It’s more that Warren Gatland has plenty of young players to pick from in the next few years, guys like Steffan Evans, Seb Davies, Keelan Giles and Ollie Griffiths.

These guys are the future of our national team and I think if they weren’t to be given a chance ahead of players who were born in New Zealand or wherever, it would not send the right message.

I think the international game will only benefit from Agustin Pichot’s plans to extend the eligibility criteria for qualification to five years.

Whether that comes before Johnny is available for Wales I’m not sure and ultimately, who knows what will happen in the future. If Wales think Johnny is a player who can improve their team, then he may well get picked.

I’m not sure I’d agree with that, but you have to admire his honesty in speaking his mind. It beats a player rocking up from New Zealand and trying to learn the words to Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau minutes later.