I actually like the Welsh Rugby Union Method. That you can select anyone outside of the wales but they have a period of grace (1 year) to come back to the domestic comp otherwise they are made ineligible.
The Welsh method is a little different to that, but i agree its the best one used.
For starters they also have the 60 cap rule, but apart from that what they do is, if you are off contract and the WRU offers you a contract and you reject it to move to another country to play professionally, you are then ineligible. Rhys Webb is an example of this.
If they don't offer you a contract, move to England for example and then perform at a standard that's good enough for the national team, you can be selected. Josh Adams from Worcester is a prime example of this.
However when your contract finishes at that club and the WRU offers you a contract, the same rules apply. This method was only started around 12-18 months ago, all players that were with overseas clubs or had signed deals with overseas clubs prior are currently exempt until their contract expires.
Since it was announced they have seen the return of George North and Ross Moriarty to the regions, and fewer players leaving the regions. Its no surprise that the Welsh results have also dramatically improved since.
- 9 internationals won in a row
- beat Australia for the first time in 10 years
- 3 straight victories over South Africa
- an unbeaten tour to the Southern Hemisphere
- their first unbeaten November series.
If Australia had the same deal, perhaps Fardy might be eligible if the ARU didn't deem him worthy of a top up, plus players like Zac Holmes, Blair Connor, etc. would be able to be called up. Would also mean young players who aren't offered a deal at super rugby level could travel to another country for the opportunity and still be eligible, potentially keeping them in the game instead of heading to league.
Its definitely a better system
