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THE WRU HAS SCRAPPED IT EXILES PROGRAMME 19:00, 02 Jun 2025 The Welsh Rugby Union are currently devising a way to replace its Exiles programme with the retention and repatriation of players

at the forefront of its thinking. One look at Wales' senior squads this year can identify players who were tracked by the exiles programme before getting capped, with the likes of Will

Rowlands, Nick Tompkins, Blair Murray, Ellis Mee, Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas and Taine Plumtree such examples. As part of the One Wales strategy the WRU will focus on the 'retention

and repatriation' of Welsh-qualified players which has already begun with England U20s full-back Ioan Jones a prime example after signing for the Scarlets from Gloucester. There is

also the Wales Pathway Players programme (WPP) where a group of up to 60 players of national interest between the ages of 15 and 24 have been identified as potential stars of the future. A

large chunk of those will be dual-qualified players based in England. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh

rugby. But with the Exiles programme gone the WRU need to put a lot of resources into monitoring dual-qualified players based outside of Wales, especially given the fact many are pressurised

by Gallagher Premiership clubs to represent England at both age grade and senior level. It is worth noting the Exiles programme did not only monitor those who are dual-qualified but any

Welsh player based in England. Article continues below Here are just a handful of players the WRU should be monitoring. JONNY GREEN Powerful second-rows who stand at 6ft 7in and over 18

stone don't exactly grow on trees in Wales. The 21-year-old graduated from the Wales U20s programme last season and is currently plying his trade for English giants Harlequins. Green,

who originally hails from Haywards Heath in West Sussex, qualifies for Wales courtesy of his mother's side of the family who all come from west Wales. He has had a lot of game-time for

London Scottish in the English Championship, while he has also got some minutes for Harlequins in the Premiership Cup. Green is part of the WRU's WPP programme and seems committed to

Wales but this has been the case with other players in the past who have gone on to play for England. KANE JAMES The Exeter Chiefs backrower is viewed as one of the best prospects in the

English game and played a pivotal role in England U20s getting crowned world champions last summer. James is a dynamic forward with the perfect blend of athleticism and physicality. JOIN

WALESONLINE RUGBY'S WHATSAPP CHANNEL HERE TO GET THE BREAKING NEWS SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE FOR FREE The 20-year-old hails from Haverfordwest but played most of his junior rugby for

St Peters in Cardiff before heading to Exeter Chiefs. James is triple-qualified for England, New Zealand and Wales. Persuading James to represent Wales at senior level should be a priority

for the WRU. OSIAN THOMAS The 20-year-old second-row, who can also play in the backrow, is a member of the Leicester Tigers academy but has been getting minutes for Nottingham in the English

Championship. Thomas is a powerful carrier but his point of difference is his athleticism and handling, especially in the wide channels. He has already represented Wales U20s but is

dual-qualified so could represent England again in the future. Thomas is highly regarded at Welford Road and is another player who was monitored by the Exiles system. ALEX RIDGWAY The

18-year-old was a member of the Scarlets U18s side which won the Regional Age Grade U18s competition last season but moved to Bath after opting to study at Beechen Cliff School for sixth

form. Ridgeway was also a standout player for Wales U18s in the Six Nations U18s Festival in Italy last season, putting in a number of eye-catching displays. Get the latest breaking Welsh

rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. The backrower is an explosive carrier capable of getting over the gainline, while he was

prominent both in defence and at the breakdown for Wales U18s. A big future awaits and is exactly the sort of player who should be included in the WRU's WPP programme. GETHIN

O'CALLAGHAN The 20-year-old hails from Cardiff and has played for Wales U19s. O'Callaghan is a powerful and explosive centre with an excellent offloading game and has been part of

the Bristol Bears academy. The centre is a prime example of why relationships with Welsh-born players must still be kept warm by the WRU after he was named in a 50-man England U20s EPS squad

at the start of the season. Article continues below Even though representing England at age-grade level does not tie a player to the Red Rose it doesn't do Wales any favours.