Tomas Francis: Wales and Exeter prop fears tough club versus country choice
- Published
Prop Tomas Francis joined Exeter from London Scottish for the 2014-15 season
Wales prop Tomas Francis admits he will face a tough decision over his playing future at the end of his current Exeter contract.
Francis needs a further 12 caps to retain his Wales eligibility under current policies, if he stays in England with the Chiefs.
But the coronavirus crisis throws doubt over whether the tight-head will get the chance.
"I understand the rules and I see both sides," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"But it's tough to see why I'd have to leave the club that gave me a chance (in the Premiership). I'll have to decide when it comes, but it's going to be a tough decision which I don't want to have to make."
Francis could fall victim to the Wales policy which states that players with fewer than 60 caps have to play for a Welsh team at the end of their current contract.
The 28-year-old missed the four matches in the 2020 Six Nations because of shoulder surgery following a World Cup injury.
Although he would be certain to attract offers from Welsh sides, he is now hoping optimistically that a rearrangement of international fixtures following the coronavirus crisis might save him from the club versus country dilemma.
"They might move the summer tour to before the autumn matches, so it could work in my favour," he said.
Francis's absence from the Wales scrum has been keenly felt since his enforced exit from the RWC 2019 semi-final defeat against South Africa.
"It was down to one penalty. You can't think of what might have been, it was a successful campaign but we could have done more," he said.
"It's a bitter pill to swallow, but personally I couldn't have influenced the game (because of injury) so it's a bit easier."
Francis, who is continuing his recovery from surgery with the aid of a temporary gym in the garage of his Devon home, is fiercely loyal to the Exeter club he has represented since 2014.
"You'd rather have the club still standing and have the Premiership to play in than quarrel over the 25% (pay reduction). Tony (Rowe, Chiefs CEO) is a great director, the club has been profitable for the last few years so the business model works and we as players want to be part of it," he explained.
Despite being largely stuck at home with his partner and their dogs, Francis is not complaining about the slow pace of his professional life or the demands of maintaining a 20-stone sporting physique.
"The lockdown has almost come as a positive for me (in recovery), I can slow down to my pace and I'm not missing any rugby. The WhatsApp groups are more of a lifeline than ever.
"Our number nine Jack Maunder, his dad owns a butcher's so I order once a week and that's my meat!"
*Listen to the full interview with Tomas Francis on BBC Radio Wales Sport, 19:00-21:00 BST on Friday 17 April.