McNicholl would be a star for Wales if he follows Parkes’ lead

THE ISSUE of rugby’s residency rules doesn’t seem to go away and I can’t see that changing even with the qualification period going up from three years to five.

In these pages last week I read new Scarlets full-back Clayton Blommetjies declare he wants to play for Wales and it was nice to hear him say he’s looked up to me growing up. Cheers, Clayton!

On a serious note though some players handle questions over their eligibility for different nations better than others and I think Johnny McNicholl nailed it this week.

Johnny struck the perfect tone by saying he doesn’t as yet feel Welsh, but playing for his adopted country is something he might end up considering.

That’s the way to do it. His comments in the media were very good and he strikes me as a humble, hard working guy who knows the Three Feathers aren’t just handed out on a whim.

Johnny arrived at the Scarlets as something of an unknown, but there’s no doubt for me he’s been one of the best players in the PRO14 this season even with the shoulder injury he’s had.

Although strong, quick and agile, I’m sure Johnny didn’t arrive in Wales thinking he’d play international rugby. But here’s the thing, if he were to make it, I think he’d be a star.

I’ve got little doubts that Warren Gatland will be looking at him.

Kiwi Hadleigh Parkes is someone who made his name at the Scarlets and earned his shot with Wales. How he’s taken it!

Johnny will be looking at him and maybe thinking he can do something similar and if Scarlets boss Wayne Pivac ends up succeeding Warren, you can bet your bottom dollar he would have a look at him in the future.

If Johnny does end up in competition for a Wales spot, it will certainly make for interesting times down at Parc y Scarlets. Johnny might end up rivalling his regional team-mates Leigh Halfpenny and Steffan Evans for a starting place, but strong competition across Welsh rugby can only benefit the national team.