Wales cannot pick Tshiunza due to 25-cap rule

Christ Tshiunza's Wales career has been put on hold after Steve Tandy was prevented from picking the Sale-bound forward because of the 25-cap rule.

The 24-year-old lock or flanker will switch to Sharks from Prem runners-up Exeter this summer.

The move means he will fall foul of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) selection policy that requires players that represent clubs outside of Wales to have at least 25 caps.

Tshiunza is on 15 and would have remained available if it was deemed a reasonable offer had not been made by a Welsh region, a situation that Jarrod Evans and Rhys Carre previously profited from.

However, Cardiff and Ospreys were interested in the forward, who instead opted to stay in England on an initial one-year deal.

Tshiunza, who grew up in Cardiff and attended the same school as former Wales captain Sam Warburton, represented Wales at age-grade level before making his Test debut in 2021.

His representatives fought his case with the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) and Rugby Management Board (RMB) but without success.

"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," confirmed Wales head coach Tandy.

The selection policy is designed to keep up-and-coming international talent in Wales and the threshold was cut from 60 in February 2023.

That has allowed Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan, whose Lions Test appearances count, to move to Gloucester in the summer.

The rule led to Joe Hawkins returning to Wales with Scarlets last summer after being unavailable while also at Exeter and has featured in six of Tandy's nine games in charge.

Tshiunza, who missed the Test season with injury, is the first player ruled ineligible since Tandy took the reins and the head coach declined to comment on the rule.

"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," said Tandy.

"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."

Wales' summer squad, which will be cut after Saturday's uncapped fixture against Barbarians in London, features 10 back-row forwards.

Tshiunza's Exeter teammate Kane James is among them and will only be captured by the WRU cap rule when his current contract expires, with Chiefs boss Rob Baxter stating the 21-year-old is on a "long-term agreement".