Sale Sharks say they are willing to fight to keep Wales international Christ Tshiunza amid interest from Welsh clubs. The 24-year-old is understood to be pondering a move back to Wales, despite having only just joined Sale from Exeter Chiefs on a one-year deal.
The back-row, who can also play in the second-row, is currently ineligible to play for his country, as he does not have the 25 caps required to continue playing outside of Wales. As such, he is believed to be weighing up a move to Wales ahead of next year's World Cup in Australia.
Cardiff leading the chase
Having missed out on his signature this summer, Cardiff are believed to be leading the chase for the 15-cap international. The Ospreys were also interested in Tshiunza's signing earlier this year. Because of the two clubs' interest, Tshiunza is now captured by the 25-cap rule - with Wales head coach Steve Tandy confirming that this summer.
Despite Tshiunza seemingly needing to move back to Wales to resume his Test career - with his last cap coming in November 2024 - his new club Sale are hopeful that they can keep hold of him.
Sanderson hopeful of keeping Tshiunza
Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson says they have already spoken briefly and expects further conversations, especially if a Welsh club does table an offer.
“I’ve heard rumours around that, and I understand them,” said Sanderson. “I haven’t really spoken to him yet because it’s still early days and at the moment it’s just rumours. But I don’t want him to go. We have already made overtures around him staying, but he signed a one-year contract and no doubt to give himself flexibility. So we’ll work through it, and hopefully he can remain.”
Tshiunza's representatives had argued their case earlier this year for the player to remain available for his country. However, the Professional Rugby Board voted against doing so. Previously, they have allowed other players who did not have competitive offers to stay in Wales - like Jarrod Evans when he moved to Harlequins - to remain available for Test selection.
Uncertainty in Welsh rugby
That would appear to have given Sanderson some encouragement that they could keep Tshiunza beyond the end of the season. “Clearly, if he does want to play for Wales long term and he hasn’t got the caps, we have to go substantially higher than what Wales could offer for him to still get called up to the Wales squad,” he added.
“All they have to match is what we’re paying him, but they don’t have much money, so it might not have to be that much more. But he’s already shown he’s a brilliant squad member, and as I say, he’ll get the opportunity to start and keep the shirt at some point. We’ve been kind of working on his game because we know aerially he’s good and he’s a mega athlete, and he showed last season how good he was in attack, but I thought defensively he was strong as well this weekend. So he will start one of the games in the next couple of weeks because he deserves that. He’s been on the bench for a few weeks and has done his part.”
The added complication for Tshiunza is the uncertainty in Welsh rugby, with the Welsh Rugby Union currently trying to cut a professional team. Any return would come against the backdrop of that chaos.
Despite that, Tandy made it clear that he would like to have Tshiunza available moving forward. “It's a shame. We have been keeping an eye on him, but there's been a process and he's been deemed unavailable for us through the 25-cap law,” Tandy said in June. “As a coach you want it all, don't you? I wasn't here when that policy was put in place and I don't think it is fair for me to voice what I think about it. I'm disappointed for Christ, but ultimately there are procedures that are put in place that we have to follow. I want as many Welsh-qualified players available to us because we haven't got a massive pool. Ultimately you've got to follow the process.”
