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Welsh Rugby Union chiefs will resurrect the Wales A team after a 14-year absence.

The old second string side last played a game in April 2002, with the team being scrapped the following season as a cost-cutting measure by David Moffett.

Since then, the Wales Under-20s has operated as the tier below the national side and as a team that binds a player to Wales.

But now the A team has been re-introduced as revealed by WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips.

“We will reconstitute the Wales A team for next season,” said Phillips.

“We would probably have liked to have played an A fixture in the spring, but we were carrying so many injuries it would have been too difficult.

“We believe that if we can get some A team fixtures into the equation, utilise all our data, identify at Under-20 level and upwards those players who can handle the intensity, and help to improve those who can’t just yet, we can actually move forward quite rapidly.

“We want to play one or two fixtures to improve our depth.

“We believe getting the Wales A team up and running can help both ourselves and the regions by exposing the next cadre of players to a different, higher level of competition.”

The gap between Test level and regional rugby was highlighted on the tour of New Zealand following the 40-7 hammering against the Chiefs in Gatland’s Hamilton hometown.

“That was the big lesson we learned from our midweek game against the Chiefs last week,” added Phillips.

“They will be Six Nations fixtures to start with, but we have an open mind over other opponents.

“To Warren’s credit, he always wants to play sides that put his coaching record under threat. I see that as a real strength.

“A big part of my job is making sure that the Wales A team and Under-20s are about development and then winning, but in that order.

“We simply don’t have the strength in depth and the only way we are going to improve that is by exposing players to situations they find difficult.

“I have to give the confidence and support to the coaches so they realise we are OK with that. That makes me even more accountable than they are.”

When the A team is brought back, then games against other countries’ second strings, such as England Saxons or the Irish Wolfhounds, will be a possibility.

The last coach of Wales A was Mike Ruddock, with the likes of Tom Shanklin and Shane Williams involved in the final 2002 campaign ahead of the team being mothballed.

As well as playing against fellow Six Nations countries, the team also had a history of taking on touring southern hemisphere sides, the last such game being a 34-15 defeat to South Africa in 2000.

When the A team is introduced, it should take over as the official Welsh second-string. Every nation has to nominate a “capture team”, which binds a player to that country if he plays for the side.

Some countries, such as England, nominate their A team - which the RFU call the Saxons - some choose their Sevens sides. Others, like Wales, currently choose their U20s.

So if a player lines up for Wales U20s against another country that uses that age-grade side as their capture team, such as France, from then on he can only represent Wales at senior level.

(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

When there is an A team, then the situation would change and representing the U20s would no longer bind you to Wales.

That has been an issue for some English-based players recently with a number of young stars having chosen not to represent to represent Wales at U20 level in recent seasons in order to keep their eligibility open for senior sides.

WRU head of performance Geraint John added: “The A team will provide the missing link for some players and ultimately improve the depth of talent available to both the national squad and to the regions.

“The matches will be an opportunity for players to experience the intensity of the international experience and fill the gap between age grade rugby and the regional game and international competition.

“We will be looking for the next tranche of players who will be coming through beyond 2019 and the A team will be a rich development area for us.”