Tshiunza hopes Sale move will not end Wales chances

Christ Tshiunza is waiting to discover if his move from Exeter to Sale for next season has scuppered his hopes of a Wales recall.

The flanker will switch from the Prem finalists to the Sharks this summer after five seasons in Devon.

Both Cardiff and Ospreys were interested in signing the 24-year-old but he decided to stay in England.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) selection policy requires players that represent clubs outside Wales to have won at least 25 caps, but Tshiunza is on 15.

"I definitely still would like to play for Wales and there are things going on in the background at the moment about it," Tshiunza told the Scrum V podcast in a Chiefs special that also features Wales lock Dafydd Jenkins.

"As it stands I just want to play well for Exeter and go up to Sale and play well there. Whatever happens, happens."

The forward, who can also play lock, would only be available to Wales head coach Steve Tandy if it was deemed offers from Welsh clubs were not fair and reasonable.

The matter has been raised at Professional Rugby Board (PRB) meetings and discussions continue.

Tshiunza made his international debut against Fiji in 2021 and, after featuring at the 2023 World Cup, won the last of his 15 caps against South Africa in the autumn of 2024.

He has not featured under Tandy after an injury-hit season and back row is an area of strength for Wales, with uncapped Exeter team-mate Kane James among 10 players selected in the extended summer squad.

Fit-again Tshiunza showed his quality with a remarkable try for Chiefs in their semi-final upset at Bath.

He is on the bench for Saturday's final against Northampton at Twickenham along with James, while Jenkins starts.