This flood of talent to France is commonly described as a disaster for the Welsh club game, because domestic audiences will be deprived of the chance to watch the likes of Jamie Roberts, Dan Lydiate, Mike Phillips and James Hook, who are playing in the French Top 14. Jonathan Davies, Ian Evans and Halfpenny have all signed deals. George North, meanwhile, is smashing opponents at Northampton. One compensatory factor is that the coterie in France will return for Wales games as better players. The game in Wales has given them an excellent excuse to flee, with the arcane political stalemate between the regions and the Welsh union.