'It's a shame': Wales camp react as Christ Tshiunza 'deemed unavailable'

Wales boss Steve Tandy admits it is a “shame” new Sale signing Christ Tshiunza will be unavailable because of the Welsh Rugby Union’s 25-cap ruling.

The 24-year-old flanker will end his five-year stay at Exeter – where he began his Test career and the ruling did not affect him as an uncapped player – this summer and head north to Manchester, despite having had interest from Welsh sides Cardiff and Ospreys.

The WRU selection policy requires players that represent clubs outside Wales to have won at least 25 caps, but Tshiunza is on 15 and will be unable to play international rugby next season in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup.

“We have been keeping an eye on him but there’s been a process and he’s been deemed unavailable for us through the 25-cap law,” Tandy said

“That’s a shame. I’m not involved in all the procedures. There’ll be more detail to come out around it, I’m sure.

“I think any player that’s unavailable for us you are always disappointed.

“We want as many Welsh players available to us as possible, but there’s also a process we’ve got to follow to make sure that it is done correctly and for the players that are in Wales as well.

“I wasn’t here when that (rule) was put in place, and I don’t think it is fair for me to voice what I think about it.”

Wales are without their English and French-based players for Saturday’s date with the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium as it falls outside World Rugby’s designated international window.

Tandy has made eight changes from the side which beat Italy in March to end Wales’ three-year winless Six Nations streak, with Cardiff second-rower Teddy Williams and Gloucester-bound British and Irish Lions flanker Jac Morgan back after long-term injury.

Cardiff hooker Liam Belcher has been ruled out of the summer matches, which also include Nations Championship Tests with Fiji, Argentina and South Africa, because of a neck injury.

“There’s a bit of finding out but it is really important that we build,” said Tandy, who is preparing to come up against retiring Wales great George North and Dragons hooker Elliot Dee in Barbarians colours.

“We haven’t played together since the Italy game so how quickly can we find that cohesion and how quickly can we find where we were, and hopefully adapted a few things in our game.

“We are treating it as a Test match and the training week has been no different in the mindset and intensity.

“We’ve seen some of the players listed in that Barbarians team. If you are slightly off you are going to get punished both sides of the ball.”