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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.
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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.
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.
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— 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.
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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
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments