Leading Wales internationals who are based in England will now get extended rest periods as part of the new agreement between the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby.
Previously Wales internationals based over the Severn Bridge would usually be thrown straight into action with their club immediately after a gruelling Six Nations or autumn campaign. But now players who play every Test match in an international block will receive a mandatory three-week rest period upon returning to their club and are limited to 30 games a season.
This is part of the new eight-year Professional Game Partnership (PGP) between the RFU and PRL. As a result the likes of Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Tommy Reffell, Archie Griffin, Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe, among others, will be better looked after by English clubs.
SIGN UP: Get the new exclusive Inside Welsh rugby newsletter for full insight into what’s really going on behind the scenes.
Clearly this is a big boost for Warren Gatland who will want his players in peak physical condition by the time they arrive in Wales camp. “This was work we took on with International Rugby Players and World Rugby, World Rugby setting international standards around the world, and those standards are going to be applied here,” said former England Saxons lock Christian Day, who is general secretary of the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA).
“The internationals – we’ve got Argentinians, Scottish players, Welsh players – if they play every game in an international block, they will get mandatory rest in the three weeks after the tournament. We talk about trying to produce a world-class environment and attract the best players.
“If we have a Finn Russell who is playing in Scotland, and France as he was, is the perfect example. If he knows he comes to the English Premiership and he comes under the World Rugby protocols, he’ll have mandatory rest post-tournament, he wouldn’t get that in France.
“That should be a real positive in attracting the best international talent, but also we obviously want to retain the best English talent. That is part of my role as the players’ association, I want to produce a world-class environment for players, that’s what I am striving towards.
“I represent the players playing in England.”
One potential knock-on effect it could have for Wales is persuading more players to up sticks and join a Gallagher Premiership club. Gatland has always emphasised Welsh players are better looked after if they remain in Wales, but this development adds an appealing player welfare boost to playing in England.
However, Gatland would still prefer to have the vast majority of his players based in Wales due to the fact he gets far more access to those who ply their trades at Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys or Scarlets.
