Wales' Wildcards

[Bluemoon]

I'm not so sure Tony. And even if that were the case, would you really want to risk any international opportunities on the basis that Gatland might bend the rules for you?

I think Matthew Morgan leaving Bristol is a good example of this. I also think it is putting pressure on halfpenny to not join Wasps.

The big loophole for me is this regions offering a firm contract offer nonsense. For example, the regions may speak to halfpenny but subsequently not offer him a contract to ensure they don't give Wales a selection headache, if they wanted to. It means the WRU could also decide to not help a region with an NDC offer to avoid a selection headache.

 

[dullonien]

The big loophole for me is this regions offering a firm contract offer nonsense. For example, the regions may speak to halfpenny but subsequently not offer him a contract to ensure they don't give Wales a selection headache, if they wanted to. It means the WRU could also decide to not help a region with an NDC offer to avoid a selection headache.

I suppose it could be used that way. But I think it's a fair 'loopehole'. Take North, none of the regions seemed to want him (price tag probably too high), so it wouldn't really be fair on the player if his international aspirations were jeopardized because he re-signed with Northampton.

I suppose the flip side of the coin would be that had the loophole not been there, then North could have actively approached a region, accepting he'd possibly have to accept a pay cut in order to safeguard his international career.

Still, it could put some players in difficult positions, and in North's case, as he was actively sold by the Scarlets, that would be a little unfair.

The interests of the players should be at the heart of things like this.

 

[AzaMatt]

I'm not so sure Tony. And even if that were the case, would you really want to risk any international opportunities on the basis that Gatland might bend the rules for you?

I think Matthew Morgan leaving Bristol is a good example of this. I also think it is putting pressure on halfpenny to not join Wasps.

The big loophole for me is this regions offering a firm contract offer nonsense. For example, the regions may speak to halfpenny but subsequently not offer him a contract to ensure they don't give Wales a selection headache, if they wanted to. It means the WRU could also decide to not help a region with an NDC offer to avoid a selection headache.

morgan might feel shafted by priestland now stating he is not taking sabbatical from international rugby - http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/...-priestland-backtracks-decision-take-10657119 - although realistically morgan was probably not going to be selected at 10 for wales at any point he probably thought with priestland not being the back up to dan biggar for the next 18 months, whilst playing for the blues/in wales he could possibly be given a shot at 10 for wales or at least on the bench. now that priestland is back in the mix he will more than likely get the bench cover for biggar which is disappointing. he doesnt deserve the hate he gets but unfortunately he has not been very good for wales for a long time, regionally he has some class games but nationally he has been nowhere near his best since 2011.

 

[dullonien]

Pretty sure that Priestland would have to be selected as one of the wild cards, so there's no guarantee Gats will continue to include him anyway.

 

[AzaMatt]

Pretty sure that Priestland would have to be selected as one of the wild cards, so there's no guarantee Gats will continue to include him anyway.

Thats a good point, although at this moment in time as long as no other welsh region players move abroad then the wild cards for next season are fine, as gatland has 3, those i assume would be priestland, roberts and falatau. The only thing that would throw a spanner in the works is if alun wyn jones or halfpenny decide to play outside of wales. if AWJ goes he still gets picked, no debate what so ever for me.