Shedding Light on Welsh Rugby: Dewi Lake Advocates for Revising the 25-Cap Rule
Image credit: Jean Francois Fournier Photographe
Welsh rugby is in a weird period. Many big names retired from international rugby after the 2023 World Cup. It left the team in a transitional stage. Warren Gatland's side needs more experience and time to grow. The rule is that you need 25 caps to play club rugby outside of Wales. Then, you can still play for the national side. But, it is holding the team back. Dewi Lake has said it may be time to drop that rule.
The 25-Cap Rule
Wales is a small country and needs to widen its player pool instead of shrinking it. That's what the 25-cap rule does. It stops people from playing for their nation. Players like Joe Hawkins cannot play for Wales. They play their club rugby outside the country. It means that Wales cannot pick quality players because of this rule. Players can earn more money playing club rugby outside of Wales. This makes it easier for them to decide to move on from international rugby. It is a short career, and you must maximise your earning potential. It needs to change because Wales must select the best players they can.
Dewi Lake On The Rule
Lake, who plays for the Ospreys, says this rule has to change. He spoke about this on the Sporting Wales podcast.
"Some boys never get the opportunity to get a single cap, let alone 25," he explained on the Sportin Wales podcast.
"Look at (Josh) Turnbull, he's not got 25 caps, but he's got 230-odd URC appearances. And will you say he needs to get time served in Welsh rugby?
"The bloke has been an outstanding servant to Welsh rugby and Cardiff and Scarlets. Yet he wouldn't be eligible for Wales if he was to move elsewhere. He's served his time; he's been in class.
"It's the cap thing that's tough to get past. You understand people wanting to give back to their club or region. Their academy has put time into them. But it stops many opportunities for boys to play elsewhere, in France, Japan or England.
"Sometimes, it hinders the national team. You'd think you'd want your best players all the time. But, sometimes they're unavailable to you because of a rule you've got in place. The rule means they're not eligible."
Quotes via Wales Online
It will be interesting to see what happens with this role. For Wales to pick the best players, something has to change.