Wales head coach Steve Tandy has confirmed that he cannot select Christ Tshiunza for his squads following the lock’s move to Sale Sharks this summer.

Professional Rugby Board’s 25-cap law rules that if a Welsh player does not have 25 or more appearances for the national team, and accepts a contract from an overseas club over a Welsh region, they are prevented from being selected for Wales.

Tshiunza has amassed 15 caps in his Wales career, and has moved from Exeter Chiefs to fellow English Premiership side Sale Sharks this summer.

Having made his Wales debut while as Exeter, the 24-year-old forward was eligible to play for Wales until now.

Players such as Jarrod Evans and Rhys Carre have played for Wales while at English clubs and under the 25-caps threshold, but the PRB ruled that those two players did not receive comparable offers from Welsh clubs when signing deals with their current English ones.

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

It means he is ruled out of Steve Tandy’s plans for the next season, but would be able to be picked for next year’s World Cup if he signed for a Welsh club next summer.

The cap threshold was cut from 60 caps to 25 in February 2023.

“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.

“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.”

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