Wales head coach Steve Tandy has selected nine English-based players in his starting XV to face Japan, a record number that outnumbers the Welsh-based contingent and highlights the growing influence of the Gallagher Premiership on the national team.
Tandy believes the selection is a positive for Welsh rugby, insisting it underlines how highly his players are valued across the border. Players such as Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake and Aaron Wainwright have been among the best performers in the Premiership this season.
Embracing the overseas contingent
“I think it shows that other leagues want our players and that they're performing well when they go elsewhere,” said Tandy. “That's exciting for us. They're also experiencing different environments and receiving different stimuli.”
He acknowledged the logistical challenges involved, particularly when players must return to their clubs to play the weekend before an international, but said Wales must make the best of the situation.
“They're coming back with different experiences, things they've learned and plenty of motivation to represent Wales,” he added.
Staying connected with players abroad
Tandy said the coaching staff make a real effort to stay connected with players outside camp, including travelling to see them, having phone conversations, taking them for dinner or meeting them for coffee.
“I also speak regularly with their head coaches to understand how they're progressing, where they're performing well and which areas they need to develop,” he said.
Previous Wales coaches have bemoaned the lack of access to players based across the Severn Bridge, but Tandy has decided to embrace it.
Balancing the benefits and drawbacks
The introduction of the Nations Championship has meant all four autumn games fall inside World Rugby's designated international window. However, players not based in Wales will miss the bulk of the training camp leading up to the Six Nations, and will have to return to their clubs on the fallow weekend and if they are not selected in the matchday squad.
“Of course, I would love everyone to be playing in Wales,” said Tandy. “That would be fantastic but from my own personal experience of going outside Wales, I learned a great deal.”
He noted that it is not always about things being better elsewhere, and that sometimes the experience simply confirms what you were doing before.
“We can either complain about having 20 players playing overseas, or we can recognise the benefits. There are always positives, although there are also things we potentially lose,” he said.
“For example, we might not have as much contact with those players or be able to bring them into alignment camps as regularly. However, some are playing in front of full stadiums every week and experiencing different styles of competition and coaching.”
“When I moved from Wales to Australia, I also had to learn different things away from the field. You learn more about yourself, how to look after yourself and how to prepare properly. I'd love to have more players based in Wales, but that's not the situation at the moment. We have to recognise the benefits as well.”
