The Australian Rugby Union relaxed eligibility rules to allow senior players at overseas franchises and clubs to represent the Wallabies.

The move, which is effective immediately, follows in the wake of recent revelations that Australia faces a mass exodus of stars after this year’s World Cup.

A host of players – such as Adam Ashley-Cooper, former skipper James Horwill, Will Genia and Sekope Kepu – are among those lured abroad by lucrative contracts in Europe and due to leave Australia after the World Cup in England in September and October.

New Zealand is facing a similar scenario, with players based abroad unable to represent their country.

In a major backflip, the ARU said the rules would be relaxed for players who have pulled on a Wallaby jersey more than 60 times and held a professional contract with the ARU for at least 7 years.

ARU Chief Executive Bill Pulver said the amendment was an important strategic decision made in the best interests of the code.

“This is a pivotal moment for rugby in Australia, where for the 1st time in its professional history, the ARU will allow overseas-based players who have made a significant contribution to the game in Australia by becoming eligible for the Wallabies,” he said.

“It’s a decision that recognises the changing dynamics of a global rugby market for professional players.”

“Combined with our other recruitment and retention strategies, we feel this decision allows the ARU to assert more influence over player movement and contracting in Australia and abroad.”

Pulver said the policy would provide short and long-term benefits to Australian Rugby and its players.

“Those players who satisfy the 60-game and 7-year threshold have already invested heavily and contributed considerably to Australian Rugby over a long period of time,” he said.

“The policy also encourages those players who have not yet reached that point to commit exclusively to Australian Rugby in the prime of their career.

“In this way, we believe the policy supports Super Rugby by encouraging our top players to remain in Australia for longer.

“It also means we can invest more money into our younger players in the long-term, while ensuring our most experienced players leaving for overseas can still contribute to the overall success of the code in Australia – on and off the field.”

Along with Ashley-Cooper, Horwill, and Genia, Toulon-based Matt Giteau, the reigning European player of the year, and his European Cup-winning teammate Drew Mitchell will be among the biggest winners from the shift in policy.

Under the revised policy, players returning to Australia from overseas who make a 2-year commitment to an Australian Super Rugby franchise will also be eligible to represent the Wallabies immediately upon their return.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said greater competition for positions would inevitably lead to a stronger national team.

“It’s important to first and foremost recognise those players who are currently making a daily contribution to rugby in Australia, but at the same time not discount those elite-level and experienced Test players who have already invested so much into the code over a long period,” he said.

“From speaking with many of them, I know they still have a huge desire to represent Australia, and would do so to the very best of their abilities if ever called upon once again.

“In the end, we want the best players being rewarded for playing the majority of their career in Australia, and this is an important step to the future growth and success of the Wallabies.”

Pulver added: “We believe having the option to select overseas-based players to represent the Wallabies, provided that they have made a commitment to return to Australian Rugby, will encourage the repatriation of Australians currently playing in foreign competitions and increase the pool of talent available to Australian Super Rugby teams and the Wallabies.”

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