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Dai Young: 'Overseas selection policy harming Welsh rugby'

Former captain and Wasps director of rugby Dai Young wants Wales to adopt England's policy on overseas selection to prevent more harm being done to the domestic game.

Former captain Dai Young would like to see Wales adopt England's "best" policy on overseas selection to prevent more harm being done to the domestic game.

Welsh clubs have lost many of their best players to higher-paying leagues in recent years and yet Warren Gatland continues to select overseas-based stars such as Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies and Leigh Halfpenny.

Australia today announced changes to their policy which would allow players who ply their trade outside of Super Rugby to be considered for the 2015 World Cup, providing that they have more than 60 international caps.

However, Young feels that England have got it "absolutely right" by refusing to pick players who earn their living abroad, having seen the Welsh game suffer from not taking that stance.

"You see falling crowds, everybody wants to see their top stars. The games aren't as attractive with your top stars not playing," he told reporters.

"You lose control over your players as well, as in their fitness, their condition and their welfare and so on. To me England's stance is absolutely right and they should stick to it, otherwise you will see the quality of the Premiership dwindle.

"I've seen it from Wales, and it's done much more harm than good allowing players to go. I certainly think England's stance is by far the best."

Young played 51 times for Wales between 1987 and 2001 and is now director of rugby at Wasps.

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Robbie Henshaw of Ireland is congratulated by teammate Jared Payne of Ireland after scoring the opening try during the RBS Six Nations match on March 1, 2015
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