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WRU change selection policy for overseas based players

Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb have taken up club contracts at Northampton and Toulon respectively. Dan Mullan/Getty Images

The Welsh Rugby Union has announced it is changing their Senior Players Selection Policy [SPSP], more commonly known as Gatland's Law.

Under the old law, Wales head coach Warren Gatland was able to pick three overseas based players for international duty, while it was set to increase to four players for the upcoming season.

Monday's announcement sees Wales follow a similar model to Australia where players who have made 60 Test appearances or more will be available for selection regardless of where they ply their trade at club level.

Taulupe Faletau, George North and Jamie Roberts fit the criteria with the trio all having played over 60 caps and are now based in England.

Dan Biggar should cross the 60 Test cap mark in next month's November internationals before he moves to Northampton next summer.

For Rhys Webb, though, it is potentially a different story.

The 28 times-capped scrum-half is set to play for Toulon on a lucrative contract from next season, and if that move goes ahead, then he would be captured by the new policy and therefore ineligible.

And Gloucester's Wales international flanker Ross Moriarty could also be caught when his existing Gloucester contract expires, although not if he decides on a move to Wales.

Liam Williams had already started playing for Saracens before the policy changed, making him still eligible for international selection.

"Whatever contract that a player is in today, that contract is protected," WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips explained.

"When that contract expires and If the player has less than 60 caps, they would not be eligible for selection. If they have 60 or more caps and they are outside Wales they would be. The existing policy worked to an extent, but it has not worked well enough. It was quite complicated. We want to make it simpler.

"We have tried to step back and say: 'let's try to simplify this' make it understandable for players, for supporters and try and give each of the five entities (four regions and Wales) access to the players they need."

Wales head coach Warren Gatland added: "'For me as a national coach, if I was being perfectly selfish, would I have a policy? No I wouldn't. It is not about me or the national team, it is about what is the best thing for Welsh rugby?

"The best thing for Welsh rugby and for the union to support the regions is to try and keep the best players in Wales for as long as we possibly can. We know we are under pressure from market forces.

"This new policy is pretty much black and white."

The Press Association contributed to this report.