At their regular monthly meeting tonight (Thursday), they decided to support the policy put forward by Head Coach Warren Gatland and WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis. The strategy is aimed at making it clear to players that the Wales coaching team regards access to players during and outside squad time as significant in their development, preparation and welfare.
The confirmation of the WRU strategy will not initiate any changes to the current squad and the Union is anxious to declare that the recognition of the playing base as a ‘significant factor’ is the focus of the new move. This is seen as a positive boost for Wales and the regions because of the close liaison between the national coaching team and their regional counterparts.
It will enable constant dialogue and access between coaches and players to ensure individuals are developing to their fullest potential at all times. The agreements in place for player release to national duty are also a factor considering the recent and longer term history of access to squad members from outside Wales. Players based in Wales are also encouraged to use the national team back-up systems whenever they or their regional coaches believe this access is necessary.
The agenda item approved by the board was: ‘The location and frequent availability of players to the National Coach will be an important factor in selection which is intended to make the best of Welsh talent available for regular and continuous training with the national squad and to safeguard the proper playing development and care of those players, recognising that the detail of that policy will require the cooperation of the Regions in national training and having the correct structures and systems in place.’
The policy has already been approved by all four of the Welsh regions who declared their support for the move in a statement following a recent meeting with the WRU.
