Thomas Young?

The Wasp flanker. the son of David Young Wasp head coach.

Although Welsh by birth, could he not qualify for England on residency grounds?


Discuss.

No he played for Wales under 20s against France Under 20s who also use this as their 2nd team. Good player though.

No becuase he played for Wales under 20's against France under 20's.

Case closed

Even if he could play for England I doubt he would choose to (or indeed that we would desperately need him). Make no mistake, I think he is an excellent player but we have got a number of very good young open-sides coming through. I reckon he won't be that far off a Wales call up if he keeps performing for Wasps.

True Raven wrote:No becuase he played for Wales under 20's against France under 20's.

Case closed

I was only asking because i understand that Wales name their squad for the 6ns on tuseday. If he did not get selected could England select him.

I had no idea he played for the under 20"s for Wales.

I believe he's also stated a desire to play for Wales, but cannot find where I read that.

I say but a muzzle on him and make him play for England. If the muzzle isn't really tight, he'll probably get used to it in a few months and then play on from there voluntarily Break his spirit and then rebuild him. You have the technology!

Young looks a very, very good prospect. He really should be in the Wales squad.

Very impressed with what I've seen.

T.Young and Moriarty are 2 very good young Welsh players that are currently playing in England - Perhaps the future with Felatu playing 8.

How is Moriarty playing this year?

The problem for Young is that Tipuric is in the form of his life and cant see Howley playing Young when Howley is in the middle of his job interview

Tips may get a Lions call up.
So there may be opportunity for international caps over that period.

He's just been named in the Wales squad

Seems like the Welsh "wild card" ruling/selection policy is a bit of a joke.

3 wildcards but then another 6 playing in England or France.

Bringing the total to 9 outside Wales...

Really strict that.....

Well it wouldn't be fair to enforce the wildcard rule on those already abroad when the rule came in, would it?

Why are the non Welsh members so concerned about Gatlands law ?

I think it would be good for Welsh rugby if Gatland's law wasn't a joke.

Griff I agree should be making more effort to bring players back to Wales or stay in Wales.

Look at the Liam Williams example, he's moving for the same pay offered. Not more.

England have a zero tolerance policy hence why Underhill has to move to Bath if he wants to play for England.

Wales needs to be stricter if it's wants stronger regions.

beshocked wrote:I think it would be good for Welsh rugby if Gatland's law wasn't a joke.

Griff I agree should be making more effort to bring players back to Wales or stay in Wales.

Look at the Liam Williams example, he's moving for the same pay offered. Not more.

England have a zero tolerance policy hence why Underhill has to move to Bath if he wants to play for England.

Wales needs to be stricter if it's wants stronger regions.

The law is pretty strict, but like I said it only applies to players taking up contracts after the rules came in. If/when Thomas Young takes up a new contract or moves club, it it's not to a Welsh club then he becomes a wildcard.

Of course the comparison with England isn't a fair one. You have 3 times the number of pro clubs so plenty of options for players. With only 4 teams I think having a zero tolerance policy would mean cutting our noses off to spite our faces.

beshocked wrote:Seems like the Welsh "wild card" ruling/selection policy is a bit of a joke.

3 wildcards but then another 6 playing in England or France.

Bringing the total to 9 outside Wales...

Really strict that.....

not a joke at all

what is funny i commenting on it when you obviously don't know what the policy entails.

Griff wrote:

beshocked wrote:I think it would be good for Welsh rugby if Gatland's law wasn't a joke.

Griff I agree should be making more effort to bring players back to Wales or stay in Wales.

Look at the Liam Williams example, he's moving for the same pay offered. Not more.

England have a zero tolerance policy hence why Underhill has to move to Bath if he wants to play for England.

Wales needs to be stricter if it's wants stronger regions.

The law is pretty strict, but like I said it only applies to players taking up contracts after the rules came in. If/when Thomas Young takes up a new contract or moves club, it it's not to a Welsh club then he becomes a wildcard.

Of course the comparison with England isn't a fair one. You have 3 times the number of pro clubs so plenty of options for players. With only 4 teams I think having a zero tolerance policy would mean cutting our noses off to spite our faces.

If you want to keep hold of your players you need a zero tolerance policy. You want to play for Wales, then you play in Wales. It would help keep your teams strong.

We'll see if the policy maintains itself - more likely it will become flexible. So flexible that it will be pointless.

Playing for Wasps has allowed Young to develop as a player. If he stayed in the regions would he have had the same opportunities?
The likelihood is No.
If a player signs a new contract and knows that will force the WRU to decide if they want to use that player as a wildcard then they risk their international career.

More an issue with Owen Williams - recently signed for Gloucester. He is forcing the WRU hand a bit! Is he banking on some of the current wildcards loosing their place? (Jamie Roberts??).

WRU bringing guys like Halfpenny back will allow for more wildcard selections elsewhere.