More than 20 players travelled to the Vale of Glamorgan training base for a day of fitness testing and skills training.
All of the players who took part in the day are eligible to play for Wales in the future but are currently based in England.
The WRU works alongside International Rugby Board (IRB) regulations with regards to Welsh qualification. Under these rules, a player is eligible for Wales if he was born in Wales, has three years of residency in Wales or if he has direct Welsh born family.
All of the players who took part in the event were eligible for Wales in one of these ways and were given the chance to impress in front of WRU coaches.
“I was delighted with the calibre of Exiles player that we were able to invite to the National Centre of Excellence to take part in the session,” said Adrian Evans, WRU Rugby Partnership Manager.
“With Wales being a small country geographically it is vital that we make use of our passionate exile player base to augment the excellent development work we do here in Wales.
“The Exiles offers talented Welsh qualified players the opportunity to become part of the Welsh Player Development Pathway from U16 through to senior level.”
The day was a huge opportunity for the players to not only impress WRU coaches but also to utilise the first class training facilities used by the Welsh national squad.
“Whatever happens it’s a great opportunity and to be taught by these very proficient coaches is great,” said Huw John, father of Benji who was involved in the event.
“You can tell from the way they coach the boys they know what they’re talking about. I think it’s something that will hopefully continue into the future and it’s great to use facilities like these.
“Benji’s aim is absolutely to progress through the Welsh system if he is good enough. He will commit to Wales Exiles as long as he can keep going.”
“The way they bring Welsh players through the Exiles system is great,” added proud parent Jules Hydleman.
“What really struck me was how the Exiles are really interested in the long term development of the boys.
“It’s a good message which focuses on rugby but also on the other important things like education.”
For more information on the Welsh Exiles programme contact WRU Rugby Partnership Manager Adrian Evans at AEvans@wru.co.uk.
