The Welsh Rugby Union's exiles programme has proved to be an extremely beneficial tool for the the national side over the years.
In recent times the likes of Jake Ball, Tomas Francis, Bradley Roberts, Johnny Williams, Nick Tompkins have represented Wales having been born outside its borders.
Wales U20s begin their Six Nations campaign against Ireland U20s in Colwyn Bay on Friday night with a number of players who originated from the WRU's Exiles programme in their ranks.
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One of those is 18-year-old tighthead Will Couch who has recently joined the Scarlets from Worcester Warriors, and is desperate to make his mark on Welsh rugby.
He comes from Balsall Common, just outside Coventry, but qualifies for Wales through ancestry from Newport.
"My dad is rugby mad and made sure I supported Wales growing up so I'm really keen to make an impression. I started playing rugby when I was five or six and I played for Sollihul while I also went to Hartpury College," he said.
"I attended my first Wales Exiles camp when I was 14 at Notting Trent where there were about 100 others there. Once you register as a Welsh qualified player they keep an eye on you.
"I was meant to train with England U18s but I spoke to Andy Lloyd and went with Wales. As a prop I was a big fan of Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones growing up and some of my best memories are watching them play for Wales."
Not so long ago it looked as if his future lay in the English Premiership with Worcester, but then the Warriors were hit by administration.
It was a scary time for those involved with many players struggling to find alternative employment, but luckily Couch was picked up for the Scarlets who have given him a four-year contract.
"Yeah it was a tough when that happened with Worcester," he said. "They were really good for me and it was a really sad day when I had to leave but I'm thankful to the Scarlets for giving me this opportunity.
"I've been there since October and it's been really good so far. I've played a couple of games for Llanelli and hopefully I can keep working hard to earn a place in the first team.
"Hopefully I get some game time with Wales U20s so I can make my mark. The target then would be to play as much Welsh Premiership rugby as I can before hopefully getting some game time with the Scarlets."
Most readers won't be familiar with Couch who only played one senior game for Worcester against Gloucester in the Premiership Cup, where he really made his mark in the set-piece.
So, what is his point of difference?
"I love getting the ball in my hands and carrying hard," he said. "One of my favourite players growing up was Tendai Mtawarira, the Beast, and I'd like to model my game on him even though he was a loosehead.
"I love carrying into contact, while I also put a lot of emphasis on jackling and defence. Of course, for any tighthead the scrum is everything and that's an area where I'm really looking to improve."
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