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Roberts has hit his best form in the centre for Racing Metro this season. Morgan Treacy/INPHO

Warren Gatland will not be happy that one of his biggest stars has decided to play in England

The Welsh boss had been hopeful that Jamie Roberts would move back to Wales.

WHAT’S THIS? ONE of Wales’ biggest stars is openly flaunting Gatland’s law?

Last year, Wales moved to a dual contract system where the Welsh rugby union would part fund the salaries of some of the nation’s best players, under the proviso that you needed to play in the country to be selected in the red jersey.

However, much like England’s ‘exceptional circumstances’ rule, Gatland can continue to pick certain overseas players – if they are good enough.

That is why Jonathan Davies will continue to play for Clermont, and why centre Jamie Roberts today announced that he will leave Racing Metro at the end of the season, but join Harlequins instead of a Welsh region.

“I’m delighted to have signed for Harlequins,” Roberts said in a statement on the Quins website.

“Having played in Cardiff and in Paris, moving to London is a chance for me to experience and further develop my career in a different league. “I’m also delighted and feel very privileged to have been accepted to study a Masters degree (MPhil) in Medical Science (surgery) at Cambridge University and look forward to furthering my education part-time alongside my professional playing career. That balance in my life has served me well in the past and I’m excited to start this new chapter in London.”

After a disappointing season where Quins finished eighth, Conor O’Shea has recruited well ahead of next season, bringing in Roberts, Scotland wing Tim Visser, Aussie second row James Horwill and Welsh prop Adam Jones.

Roberts has been in particularly good form this year, probably putting together his most consistent string of club displays this decade.

And you can’t blame Warren Gatland for bending his rules to allow players like Roberts and Davies to play abroad and for Wales. It is a lot easier to cast away big names when you are Stuart Lancaster and can pick from England’s vast playing base.

It also looks like Taulupe Faletau has turned down a dual contract, and will likely move away from Wales after next season.

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
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    May 18th 2015, 2:32 PM

    Even when on the bench he didn’t get game time. The coach doesn’t like or trust him. Saturday once again showed just how wrong O’connor has been all season

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    Mute Colin Webber
    Favourite Colin Webber
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    May 18th 2015, 6:24 PM

    O’Connor is just all wrong for Leinster.

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    Mute Mark Lawlor
    Favourite Mark Lawlor
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    May 18th 2015, 2:31 PM

    He has a very big chance next season with Leinster during the World Cup, midfield won’t be as competitive so he should get a good run of matches.

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
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    May 18th 2015, 6:56 PM

    Mark if Darcy doesn’t make the World Cup squad, he’ll play 12 with t’eo at 13. Then Madigan and sexton will be back so the midfield won’t be as easy to get into as you may think

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    Mute David Davidson
    Favourite David Davidson
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    May 18th 2015, 4:27 PM

    That pop pass from O’Brien

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    Mute Irish Underage Rugby
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    May 18th 2015, 2:54 PM

    Battle between him and Madigan for the 12 jersey next season.

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    Mute Cian Walker
    Favourite Cian Walker
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    May 19th 2015, 4:02 AM

    It’s always to easy to see who coaches ‘just like/don’t like’. When Gopperth played badly it was ignored whereas when Madigan played mediocre or even if Reid played well decisions went against them.

    It creates such a poisonous culture as some players start to feel entitled to spots and others feel it doesn’t matter how well they play they won’t get picked. Cody and Fergusson were masters at disregarding players identities and judging on match performance alone. MOC is such a stink manager.

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