Wales star Nick Tompkins has called for Welsh rugby’s controversial 60-cap rule to be scrapped and players given freedom to ply their trade in England.
Tompkins made his call as his director of rugby at Saracens, Mark McCall, backs him to win a Wales recall for the Six Nations date with England in Cardiff on Saturday, assuming the game goes ahead amid a strike threat by Welsh players.
Players’ concerns are based around multiple issues, among them the contract freeze that’s left a significant number of them fearing for their jobs. There is also a view that the rule which prevents exiled players with under 60 caps from playing for Wales should be revised at a time when it is being proposed that wages for players at the four professional teams should be reduced.
Tomkins could be snared by it when his contract with star-studded Saracens ends. But he doesn’t agree with the rule anyway and argues players should be free to play in either the United Rugby Championship or the Gallagher Premiership.
“I find it really frustrating as it’s more to do with politics than logistics,” he said in The Rugby Paper. “I’d like to see the 60-cap rule not there. I just think because of the politics it hampers the player and the team.
“I’m a massive advocate of players having autonomy and being able to play in either league. You can’t argue with how good the product of the Premiership is.
“I’m at a club where I feel happy and playing my best rugby, and hopefully it translates to Wales. Something needs to change.”
The 28-year-old hasn’t featured in a matchday squad so far in this Six Nations, with Wales choosing Joe Hawkins and George North as starters.
But Saracens team boss McCall believe Warren Gatland’s side would be lifted by Tompkins’ inclusion for the England match, saying he’s been one of Saracens’ better players for two seasons and pointing out: "We're grateful to have him but in lots of ways I wish we didn't have him because I think he's an international. Let's see if he is playing against England — I think we'd be surprised if he wasn't."
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