Welsh Rugby Union 60-cap rule means Young cannot add to his three caps
Wednesday 20 May 2020 16:40, UK
Thomas Young has signed a new contract with Wasps which will rule him out of international selection for Wales.
With father Dai stepping down as director of rugby at the club in February, there was speculation that Young could link up with one of the Welsh regions in a bid to add to the three caps he earned under Warren Gatland in 2017.
However, the 27-year-old flanker has signed a new deal with Wasps, the length of which was unspecified by the Gallagher Premiership club.
The WRU brought in a new selection policy in October 2017, stating that where a player signs a contract after this date to remain outside of Wales and not feature for one of the regions, and has less than 60 caps, they would be ineligible for selection.
Young, who has scored 30 tries in 111 appearances for Wasps, said: "I've made some great friends at this club and I want to achieve something special with them."
Wasps head coach Lee Blackett added: "Thomas is a hugely influential member of the squad on and off the field. He captained the side on several occasions last year and has developed into a real leader.
"Thomas is one of a number of players who've been here all the time I have, and it's been great to see him develop to, in our opinion, being one of the best opensides in the league."
Injuries have restricted him to only 21 appearances in the last two seasons, but he was named co-captain, with Dan Robson, for the current season.
Young started his professional career at the Cardiff Blues academy and joined Wasps in 2014 after a short stint at Gloucester.
Wasps have also announced that Marcus Watson has signed a contract extension.
Watson, who can play at full-back or on the wing, has scored in 18 tries in 45 appearances for Wasps.
Blackett has been impressed with the progress Watson has made since returning to the 15-a-side game after a number of years playing rugby sevens, where he won a silver medal with Team GB at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
"Everybody knows the quality Marcus has, he fits in perfectly to the style of rugby we want to play," Blackett said.
"His ability to beat a defender and finish tries off is unquestioned, but Marcus has also worked really hard on other aspects of his game to become a more all-round player.
"He is already a regular in the side and the exciting thing is there is still more to come."
