News
WRU to hear overseas appeal
May 20 2008
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has said it will listen to the four regions' case for an increase in the limit of overseas players allowed in Wales.
At present each Welsh regional squad is only allowed six non-Welsh qualified players, a point that has been publicly contested recently by the Scarlets, Blues and Dragons.
Further to that the Scarlets have said they will ask the WRU for special permission to go over this limit as they look to build their squad for next season.
Having just signed former All Black Kees Meeuws the Scarlets now have eight non-Welsh players in their squad - Meeuws, Regan King, Simon Maling, David Lyons, Deacon Manu, Sililo Martens, Scott Macleod and Mahonri Schwalger are all non-Welsh qualified.
Ireland international Simon Easterby is not considered to be an overseas player, else it would be nine at Stradey Park, three over the limit for next season.
The only Welsh region who are expected to block the call for an increase in non-Welsh players is the Ospreys, although that is hardly surprising when they boast the bulk of Wales' recent Grand Slam winning squad.
David Pickering, the WRU Chairman, claimed the governing body would listen to any case for a change in the overseas rule.
But the newly-elected Six Nations Chairman gave the clearest indication that the current limit is enough.
"It's all about striking a balance and we have a very good balance at the moment," Pickering told The Western Mail.
"Any changes to that will have to be well argued and well thought through.
"We will be negotiating a new participation agreement in the next year and any changes will be discussed then."
The current participation agreement - also known as the 'Rugby Charter' - still has twelve months to run. The Charter contains all the agreed guidelines on overseas players and coaches between the WRU and the four professional regions.
It is no secret that the regions want a significant increase in the £3.2m-a-year funding from the WRU, while the Union wants more and better access to international players.
The WRU agreed to raise the players limit from six overseas to seven non-Welsh qualified players for this World Cup year but it is expected to return to six for next season.
However the fact that every regional number eight shirt could be worn by a non-Welsh qualified player means the new overseas rule has become a burning issue.
Alix Popham and Michael Owen have left the Scarlets and Dragons respectively. The Scarlets have recruited Wallaby Lyons and the Dragons have signed Kiwi Grant Webb at number eight.
All Black Xavier Rush skippers the Blues from number eight and Filo Tiatia has played at the back of the scrum for the Ospreys, while Ryan Jones has worn the number six jersey.
"It's a concern and we have recognised it for a number of years now," said Pickering
"We have invested heavily into our academy structure and we want to keep that going.
"You just have to look at the success of our age-group teams to see how that conveyor belt of talent is working.
"It has been a great success and is key to our success at national level. We want to keep that going and to generate talent for every position.
"We know there can be improvements and we accept that it has to be good for the four regions, too.
"The idea of having all non-Welsh players playing in one position has to be a concern for everyone."
Pickering, though, was quick to justify the need of the big-name experienced overseas signing.
"We understand what the likes of Justin Marshall bring, in terms of ticket sales and bums on seats and the mentor roles they can play with younger players," Pickering added.
"The regions are doing a good job and we want to work with them, but we all want Wales and Welsh rugby to work.
"I believe that is a goal that every Welsh person, in the game, shares. It's about Welsh success."