James Fender was eying a move to France but it’s emerged he could have been barred from playing for Wales despite being uncapped
18:56, 28 Jul 2025Updated 18:59, 28 Jul 2025
James Fender Of Ospreys(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Uncapped Wales second-row James Fender’ Test availability would be in serious doubt if he were to leave the Ospreys this summer, as a move away from Wales now looks increasingly unlikely.
Fender seems likely to remain at the Ospreys, with WalesOnline able to confirm the uncapped Welsh second-row would be unable to play for Wales were he to leave this summer, despite being uncapped.
It had been assumed the 23-year-old would still be available to new head coach Steve Tandy if he left for France this summer, in the same way many other uncapped players outside Wales have previously been called up. That appeared likely a couple of weeks ago, with a deal having been agreed in principle with Pro D2 outfit Grenoble.
However, that move was always on the basis that the Ospreys agreed to his departure – with Fender still having a year left on his contract. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby
And, despite the French club offering a transfer fee, understood to be over £100,000, the Ospreys are unwilling to let him go without getting a replacement in first.
The optics of letting a young Welsh player go at a time when the future of four professional teams in Wales is severely under threat is also likely a factor.
Whether that keeps Fender in Swansea for the long term remains to be seen, with the player understood to have been keen on a move to France amid the growing uncertainty within the Welsh game.
But what might catch the eye of other Welsh players is the fact that, despite being widely believed to not be captured by the 25-cap rule, Fender was set to be made ineligible for international selection as part of a more obscure facet of the Welsh Rugby Union’s player selection policy.
It’s understood players who are placed on the WRU’s 60-strong list of players of national interest (PNI) at the start of each season can be deemed ineligible for Wales duty if they choose to leave, while still in contract.
To make matters worse, it’s understood that Fender was not even aware he was on the 60-player PNI list this season.
The complicated situation is understood to depend on whether the move is sanctioned by the Professional Rugby Board or not, with the current situation behind the scenes not helping provide real clarity for anyone.
Speaking about the future of the senior player selection policy in Melbourne last week, WRU CEO Abi Tierney admitted it could be looked at should the Welsh game undergo major changes.
“I think that’s a product of some of the other questions we’ll be answering,” said Tierney when WalesOnline asked about the cap rule needed to change of the number of teams is cut.
“I’ll give that as an example and I’ll caveat that by saying that’s one of the options we’re looking at, but not the only option.
“Whereas if you’re keeping all the clubs and you’re not reducing it, the 25-cap rule becomes maybe a different challenge.
“I think it’s part of the conversation but it isn’t one of the core questions, the five or six things, that we’re looking at.”