Last week on the Sportin Wales podcast Dewi Lake had his say on Wales’ 25 cap rule, this week it was the turn of former Wales and British and Irish Lions full back Lee Byrne.

Byrne says scrapping the rule is a “no brainer” for him having played three seasons with French side Clermont Auvergne.

The rule has been the source of much debate in Wales over recent years ever since it’s first iteration in 2017.

Back then it was a 60-cap rule, meaning players would need to have 60 caps or more to play their club rugby outside of Wales and continue being selected for the international side.

The rule was designed to try and keep Welsh players in playing in Wales.

The rule was one of the sticking point during the Six Nations last year with it being reduced to 25 caps.

There are permutations which mean you can play outside Wales without 25 caps, including if a player wasn’t capped at the point when they were at a non-Welsh club, as was the case with Nick Tompkins, Louis Rees-Zammit and Tommy Reffell.

Other countries have had similar rules, with blanket rules in England, Ireland and New Zealand where you cannot play for their national sides if you play domestically outside their respective countries.

South Africa had a 30 cap rule in 2017 but then scrapped it two years later, prior to winnin the 2019 World Cup, a feat they’d replicate four years later.

After Lake suggested last week that he’d like to see the 25-cap rule replaced with a time served or region appearances option, this week Byrne says he’d like to see the ruling be removed completely.

“For me it’s a no brainer [to scrap the rule],” said Byrne.

“South Africa changed their rule, players can play where they want and they’ve won two world cups from it.

“I played in France when the ruling wasn’t in and became a better player along with Mike Phillips and Jamie Roberts, we all played in France with world class players in probably the best league in the world.

“The crowd at Clermont was unbelievable, that was what made me go there. People used to camp outside for tickets, mad rugby passionate fans.

“I always wanted to go away to play, but France was an amazing experience and one I won’t forget.”