The four Welsh regions have thrown their full support behind the controversial new Wales selection policy designed to keep the best players in the country. National coach Warren Gatland has drawn up a proposal which states any player who wants to pursue a club contract outside Wales will be putting his international future in jeopardy.

The proposal was discussed yesterday by the Professional Rugby Board - made up of representatives from the Welsh Rugby Union, Newport Gwent Dragons, Cardiff Blues, Llanelli Scarlets and the Ospreys - and it received a positive response.

The proposal, which has the full support of WRU chief executive Roger Lewis, will go before the full board of the union to be rubber-stamped on January 24th.

Meanwhile, London Irish will play their home games at Reading's Madejski Stadium until 2026. Irish and Reading have concluded a new agreement to cover the next 18 seasons which takes immediate effect.