WRU changes international player selection policy and scraps Gatland's Law
Rhys Webb could become the first high-profile casualty of Wales' new senior player selection policy.
And Wales head coach Warren Gatland has admitted he feels for his star scrum-half, who has agreed to join big-spending French club Toulon next season.
The Welsh Rugby Union has changed its international player guidelines and scrapped so-called Gatland's Law.
Heading into this term and next, players with clubs outside Wales required one of four wildcard picks from Gatland to represent their country, with that figure dropping to two for the 2019-20 World Cup season.
It was designed to keep players in Wales, but the policy did not work, with big names currently in the Aviva Premiership including George North, Liam Williams, Jamie Roberts and Taulupe Faletau, while Dan Biggar will join Northampton next season.
WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips announced on Monday that Wales will now follow an Australian-style caps rule as criteria for selecting individuals at Test level who do not play domestic rugby in their own country.
If a player has won 60 caps or more, then his international prospects will not be affected,wherever he plays. The new policy takes effect immediately..
Biggar currently has 56 caps, but he is likely to hit the 60-mark this season with Wales having four autumn Tests and then a Six Nations campaign.
British and Irish Lion Webb, though, is potentially a different story. If his Toulon move goes ahead, then the 28 times-capped number nine would be captured by the new policy and therefore be ineligible.
Gloucester flanker Ross Moriarty (17 caps) and Exeter prop Tomas Francis (23 caps) could also be caught when their existing club contracts expire, although not if they decide on moving to Wales.
Players like North, Roberts and Faletau have more than 60 caps, while Williams had already started playing for Saracens before the policy changed.
Reflecting on Webb's situation, Gatland said: "I had a good conversation with Rhys.
"He is 28, has had injuries, he is thinking about himself, his future and his family, and so he may have made that decision whether he was captured or not.
"We see those decisions being made in other countries - the All Blacks and Australians make those decisions - it is a lifestyle and security decision.
"He can still get out of his Toulon contract. He has just signed a letter of agreement. He has not signed a full contact with Toulon.
"He needs to make his own decision. You should talk to his agent, Derwyn (Jones). We spoke to him before to say it was potentially going to be introduced. He is well aware of it.
"He has spoken to Rhys, I have spoken to Rhys - not so much about that, but his decision to go. He has had a lot of injuries, he is 28, getting to 60 caps might take three years and he might not get that opportunity (to move) again.
"You have to feel for him. From my point of view we potentially won't be able to pick a world-class player. That's disappointing."
On the new policy generally, Gatland added: "The number means that when those players do reach 60 caps there is an opportunity to go and play outside of Wales. I understand that.
"There is pressure on players to make what is the best decision for themselves and in the future. We have to recognise that. There are market forces outside of Wales.
"Part of the criteria is a desire to have five competitive entities - the national team and four competitive regions."