MIKE RUDDOCK believes the new Welsh policy on international selection, that threatens player careers if they move out of Wales, has thrown up a number of points'.

English clubs are likely to be the big losers when the powerful statement of intent' put out by new Wales head coach Warren Gatland and the Welsh Rugby Union is given the rubber stamp by the Union's board of directors.

It would, effectively, dry up the stream of Welsh talent heading especially to England or France. A whole raft of Welsh or Welsh-qualified men currently play out of the Principality, mostly in England with Guinness Premiership clubs but, under the plans, they would be exempt from the threat on their international places.

Others leaving after the policy is up and running, though, will not be exempt and may have their international careers cut short or stopped before they have even started.

There are currently 27 Welshmen who are playing with Guinness Premiership clubs. Wales 2005 Grand Slam-winning and ex-Newport Gwent Dragons coach Ruddock has seven of them in his squad at Worcester Warriors and said: "It throws up a number of debating points.

"I know that, when Scotland did something similar a few years ago with Matt Williams as coach, that had fairly limited success.

"And there is an argument that some players feel that, after a certain length of time playing rugby in Wales, they could prolong their careers by playing outside Wales.

"Rob Howley would be an example of that where he was playing well for Wasps and won Premiership and Heineken Cup titles. Jonathan Humphreys went to Bath and played for Wales again.

"It's not a given that sides want to sign Welsh international players anyway. They would be absent for Welsh games in the autumn internationals, Six Nations, end-of-season tours, World Cups every four years and training camps.

"When English players get involved in these camps, the clubs receive compensation from the RFU.

"From Wales, there is no compensation so there is a reluctance to sign Welsh players on that basis."

Sale Sharks head coach Kingsley Jones, whose squad includes 24-times capped lock Brent Cockbain and former Cardiff Blues outside-half Lee Thomas, said the policy would effect his own club who have a large support from North Wales.

Former Wales captain Jones said: "It's sad news because we have a lot of support from North Walians and a lot of players from up there want to play for Sale because it is their nearest club.

"And look at someone like Lee Thomas. He would be struggling to get into the Blues team at the moment with Gareth Thomas and Nicky Robinson there.

"We have given him a lot of opportunities in the Premiership and the Heineken Cup and now he is knocking on the door for the Wales team.

"I understand the principle that they want control of where the players are for training because the Irish do it."

Harlequins have Welsh international centre Hal Luscombe in their squad along with prop Ceri Jones and, although their chief executive Mark Evans admitted he could see Gatland's point, he did admit it opened up all sorts of potential legal problems.

Barry-born Evans said: "I've always thought these things are better dealt with in an informal way rather than stating a particular policy because you do tend to get into contractual legal areas in terms of employment law, EC legislation and other things.

"The Irish players have had this for many years, although it is not written down, because it's difficult for players based out of Ireland to make it into the international team. It opens up a can of worms."

And Bath have always had a steady stream of Welsh players flowing over the Severn Bridge to ply their trade in the Premiership and currently have Swansea-born prospect Tom Cheeseman flourishing there.

Bath chief executive Bob Calleja hopes Gatland and Lewis will allow the flow of young talent able to learn from their renowned academy structure to continue without any restrictions on them internationally.

Calleja said: "At the end of the day, it's a decision that players have to make individually.

"Most players have aspirations to represent their country but then they will be forced to stay in Wales if they want to do that.

"I think it's a shame because I think players will learn a lot from being in the Premiership but, if that's the situation, then that is their call.

"I would hope the arrangement we have enjoyed with Wales over the years would continue to be reciprocal because there is some very good talent there and the Premiership is a tried and tested way of bringing youngsters on."

- The new Wales strategy of considering the location of a player outside Wales as an important selection factor has been given the full backing of all four regions.

A statement issued on behalf of the Welsh regions said: "We are fully in favour of this policy which will encourage more of our best players to seek to play their rugby in Wales.

WRU chief Roger Lewis, said: "I am delighted by the response of the regions to this initiative."