Wales' controversial 60-cap law is under review with lowering the number of caps under consideration.
Currently Welsh players who have won fewer than 60 international caps must ply their trade at one of Wales' four regions if they are to remain eligible for selection.
This ruling has ensured the bulk of Wales' top players have stayed at either Cardiff, Dragons RFC, the Ospreys, or the Scarlets but it is coming under severe pressure due to the current freeze on the regions offering new contracts.
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Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Steve Phillips is adamant the concept of the law is here to stay but admitted it may need tinkering with.
"The primary reason it's there was to retain the best Welsh talent in Wales," said Phillips. "The main driver is to support the regions in having the best players and talent available to the regional teams.
"I think that still has merit and I think it something we should continue with. You can get into a debate over is it 60, is it a 100, is it 10 or 20 but if you do it as a concept it's always important.
"It's about getting the best players in Wales which supports the regions. It also supports the national interest because if we've got enhanced player release then Warren and his team have better access, 13 extra days every campaign.
"It makes us then more akin to what England have, Ireland have it pursuant to their structures, and probably Scotland to a lesser extent."
When asked whether the number of caps may change Phillips said: "I think that's the conversation. The concept is a sound one.
"Australia recently changed theirs to 30 but I think the concept is the key thing. I'm not saying we need to change it but that's not to say we don't need to review it."
Given the current embargo on signing contracts in Wales numerous players are expected to sign with clubs overseas with star second-row Will Rowlands having put pen to paper on a deal with Racing 92 in France.
Under the current laws Rowlands would be ineligible to represent Wales at next year's Rugby World Cup with Phillips confirming the Professional Rugby Board would have to vote in favour of granting him special dispensation to be selected.
"I think you just need to look at each circumstances as they present themselves," he said. "I don't know the full extent of where Will is going or what he's doing and that will have to be reviewed in due course.
"Without going into specifics we've seen this before with Rhys Webb and so forth. If there needs to be a special case this is something which is discussed at PRB level yes."
While the 60-cap law is unpopular with most supporters its main focus is to help improve Wales' preparation at Test level with English-based players missing for up to half of all training sessions during a Six Nations campaign. Gatland is also keen to have the vast majority of his players plying their trade in Wales.
"The ideal situation, as I’ve always said, is we want players based in Wales being selected from the regions," said Gatland.
"That is always an advantage for players in terms of preparation time for Six Nations, summer tours and World Cups in terms of their release.
"That gives them a huge advantage by being based in Wales. That’s the ideal situation we want and hopefully we can keep as many as possible.
"But I’m also aware players get older and get towards the end of their career, they look for other opportunities. I’ve always been comfortable with players making the best decisions for themselves and their families.
"There’s a lot of things at stake in that, but the number one thing is hopefully getting as many players playing their rugby in Wales to help us having the best chance to prepare and perform."
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