Picking an Exiled Wales XV
The WRU’s national team eligibility rule around non-Welsh based players has brought a number of high profile players back into the regional rugby fold. However, there are still multiple Welsh players still plying their trade elsewhere.
Here, RugbyPass picks its Welsh Exiled XV, a team featuring 14 players based in England and one in France.
15 – LIAM WILLIAMS (Saracens)
Started in his preferred position during the 2019 Six Nations and played such an outstanding role in the Grand Slam that he may well retain the 15 jersey going forward. He moved to Saracens to live with his girlfriend and win more trophies, which he has certainly done, adding to the English champions’ already-lethal aerial game. Despite only having 56 caps, he remains eligible for Wales because he signed his contract before the 60-cap was introduced.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BynzCz7FirJ/?igshid=z1s9phwz13na
14 – ALEX CUTHBERT (Exeter Chiefs)
He moved from Cardiff Blues to Exeter to rediscover his form after a difficult few years in the goldfish bowl of Welsh rugby, deliberately removing himself from selection as he only had 47 Test caps. He has not rediscovered the form that made him such a threat in 2013’s Six Nations title-title-winning season, but he is enjoying his rugby again and is well-liked in England’s south-west.
13 – ASHLEY BECK (Worcester Warriors)
For a long time, Beck was touted as the future of the Welsh midfield due to his creativity and pace. However, a series of injuries meant he never got more than seven caps despite making his debut in 2012, and his move to Worcester from Ospreys means he won’t get any more unless he returns to Wales. Injuries, though, continue to hamper him.
12 – OWEN WILLIAMS (Gloucester)
Another player who was often considered a bright prospect for a more creative Welsh midfield. Williams’ issue was more inconsistency than injuries. He looked to be Jamie Roberts’ long-term replacement at 12 in 2017 before Hadleigh Parkes made his debut and never looked back. Williams has only three caps and seems unlikely to add more any time soon.
— Jonah Holmes (@JonahHolmes24) May 14, 2019
11 – JONAH HOLMES (Leicester Tigers)
Stockport-born Holmes was a surprise call-up during the 2018 autumn internationals but was retained for the Six Nations and RWC training squads. He is uncertain to make the World Cup considering Wales’ back three depth, but he has serious pace and has shown himself able to defend. He usually plays at full-back for his club but has featured on the wing as well. Holmes remains eligible for Wales selection while his current Leicester contract lasts.
10 – DAN BIGGAR (Northampton Saints)
There are a number of Welsh fly-halves abroad but Dan Biggar, hero of the last World Cup, is surely the foremost. Like Cuthbert, he exited Wales to get out of the limelight of living there and give himself a chance of domestic trophies elsewhere. His playing style has become noticeably more attacking under Saints coach Chris Boyd and he played a significant part in the English club’s recent revival where they reached the Premiership play-offs. With 70 caps, he remains eligible for Wales wherever he plays.
9 – RHYS WEBB (Toulon)
The only player on this list based in France, Webb is the highest profile casualty of the 60-cap eligibility rule and by far the most controversial. Like Liam Williams, he claimed he had signed for Toulon before the rule was in place. He hasn’t shown his full ability in a struggling Toulon side and now seems resigned to missing the World Cup even though many Wales fans are hoping Warren Gatland might still find a loophole for the 31-cap player.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzfYoKOgfxx/
1 – RHYS CARRE (Saracens)
Another example of the loopholes in the Welsh-eligibility rule, Carre traded the mentorship of Gethin Jenkins at Cardiff Blues for Mako Vunipola and the higher likelihood of success with Saracens. The talented youngster has been selected in Wales’ RWC training squad and may well get playing time in the warm-ups as he is also English-qualified and Wales will want to keep him. He will remain Welsh-eligible throughout his Saracens contract as he was uncapped when he signed for the Londoners.
2 – SCOTT BALDWIN (Harlequins)
He rotated with Ken Owens at the last World Cup and was on a national dual contract before falling out of favour and switching to London. Infamously known for his lion-taming attempt in South Africa, the 34-cap hooker has a solid all-round game and works hard.
3 – TOMAS FRANCIS (Exeter Chiefs)
Eligible through his grandmother, Francis has never played club rugby in Wales. Various Welsh attempts to regulate eligibility have always seen him slip through the net, most recently when Exeter activated an extension clause in his contract rather than offering him a new one, demonstrating another loophole in the rule. Francis leads a growing Welsh contingent in the south-west of England, but he may have to play in Wales eventually if he wants to maintain his international career.
4 – TOM PRICE (Exeter Chiefs)
The return of Bradley Davies and the retirement of Luke Charteris mean there aren’t many Welsh second rows playing outside the country. Price played in England’s 2013 Junior World Championship team but he is Welsh-qualified through his grandfather. He joined Exeter after three years at Scarlets and is uncapped.
5 – CHRIST TSHIUNZA (Exeter Chiefs)
Another player who is primarily known because his move exposed a loophole in the eligibility rule. Tshiunza is only 18 but extremely highly rated. He starred for Wales’ Under-20s, his combination of athleticism and physicality exciting coaches and observers. He turned down an academy contract with Cardiff Blues to move to Exeter for personal reasons. He remains eligible for Wales because he is uncapped but he is also English- and French-qualified through his parents.
6 – SAM LEWIS (Worcester Warriors)
Born and bred in Swansea, Lewis has been playing his rugby in England for four seasons. Although his lack of caps means he could still play for Wales, he is also eligible for England through his mother. He tends to play on the openside but the plethora of poachers that Wales have means many of their sevens also play on the blindside. England are developing their own depth at openside but they are still some way behind Wales on that front, so Lewis may find Eddie Jones more likely to come calling than Wales.
?Closer look anyone? | Golwg agosach? pic.twitter.com/eUT2rCjiO6
— Welsh Rugby Union ??????? (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 6, 2019
7 – THOMAS YOUNG (Wasps)
He is indicative of Wales’ rich options at openside. One of the best sevens in the English Premiership for years he has struggled to break into the Welsh side. His current absence from the RWC training squad is injury-related but Gatland has hinted a number of times that Young’s lack of availability while playing in England has hindered his international opportunities.
8 – TAULUPE FALETAU (Bath)
His departure from Dragons to Bath in 2016 arguably prompted a review of the eligibility system as a national dual contract was not enough to keep him. Faletau has struggled with injuries over the past year but – when fit – he is one of the best players in the world in his position as he proved on two British and Irish Lions tours. His 72-caps means eligibility is not an issue for him and he is a key member of the Welsh leadership team.
WATCH: Part one of the two-part RugbyPassdocumentary on the many adventures that Welsh fans can expect to experience in Japan at this year’s World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
26 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
1 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusades , you can keep going.
1 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
26 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
26 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
26 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
26 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
11 Go to comments