The truth about the 25-cap rule and the loopholes that now change things
There are countless things with Welsh rugby that cause confusion.
Tactics, mergers, people thinking Wyn Jones counts as a surname, and an inability to win at Twickenham when having a numerical advantage.
(Ok, Australia 2015, England 2023 and England 2024 hardly makes for a categoric numerical sequence, but it’s weird nonetheless - even England captain Jamie George noticed the trend earlier this year.)
But, one of the things that many have struggled to put their finger on is the intricacies of the 25-cap rule.
On the face of it, it’s quite simple. You used to need 60 caps to carry on playing for Wales while based outside of the country. Now, after last year’s contract dispute, it’s just 25 caps needed.
Just last year, a statement by the Professional Rugby Board stated:
"The new system does not make any exception for capped players, with fewer than 25-caps, leaving to play outside of Wales after 31/03/2023.”
The merits of the rule are quite clear too. Wales want as much time as possible with players in camp, with players plying their trade outside of Wales required to return to their clubs in fallow weeks, outside of Test windows or if they’re not named in the matchday squad.
However, for as hard and fast as the rule seems, there are bits shrouded in mystery. Despite the quote above, there are, after all, exceptions.
Last December, we reported that former Cardiff fly-half Jarrod Evans was eligible to play for Wales, despite having moved to Harlequins and being short of the 25-caps required.
Now, without divulging sources, that report was always bang on the money. Heading into this year’s Six Nations, Wales’ management knew for certain the eight-cap fly-half was available for selection because he wasn’t offered a market-value deal in Wales last year.
The 27-year-old was one of a dozen players told by Arms Park bosses that the most they could be offered was significantly lower than what they were on.
But, without any caveat or loophole being in the public domain in black and white, there was always the possibility for crossed wires within the whispers of Welsh rugby.
Evans himself didn’t know what was happening. "To be honest, I don't know if I'm eligible,” he told BBC Sport in January.
Things would only get murkier. Just last week, I was told Rhys Patchell, another Welsh fly-half who headed elsewhere without the requisite 25-caps last year, was eligible for selection in the same manner as Evans, having not been offered a deal to stay in Wales.
So, I went in search for definitive answers and just about got them.
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