As is often the case in Welsh rugby, a situation is unfolding that is largely defined by the lack of clarity on offer.
Earlier this year, the threat of strike action saw the 60-cap rule reduced to 25 as players rallied against the Welsh Rugby Union amid a contract dispute.
Despite that number coming down, there's still a handful of players at risk of being captured by the rule ahead of this year's World Cup. Again, it's clarity - or the lack of it - that is the issue.
Starting with the actual 25-cap rule, some key facets remain unclear. A set number of regional appearances has been mentioned as part of it, allowing stalwarts at club level to move out of Wales without damaging their Test chances.
However, as of yet, no actual number has been made public. In fact, no one seems to know what the figure is.
If the waters are muddied on that one, then the future of some players is just as murky.
The Joe Hawkins situation
Joe Hawkins has been the main one this week. The five-cap Wales centre has agreed a deal to join Exeter Chiefs from the Ospreys.
In theory, his Wales career is now on hold - with the centre short of the 25 caps to carry on pulling the red jersey. Earlier this week, Professional Rugby Board chair Malcolm Wall confirmed as much, saying he expected to the 20-year-old to be ineligible for the World Cup.
So, case closed? Well, not quite.
A day after that, Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter claimed that he expected Hawkins to be available moving forward. While Baxter couldn't give details, he appeared to suggest that a deal had been signed at a time before Hawkins would be captured by the rule.
Crucially, he wouldn't reveal when a contract was signed. He then added that it was up to the player and his agent to sort it with the Welsh Rugby Union.
Ultimately, the WRU - and the PRB - will have to consider whether he could still be deemed available. And it will all come down to when his contract was signed.
The former Wales U20s captain was first named in a national squad in October 2022, winning his first cap at the end of November. Had he signed a contract with Exeter ahead of his call-up, then he would still be eligible.
It had often been thought that a player was only captured by the 25-cap rule - or 60-cap rule in its previous guise - when they won a cap. However, Nigel Walker told the BBC that any uncapped player involved in a senior squad would not be eligible to play Test rugby if they left Wales.
So, should Six Nations squad member Teddy Williams join Hawkins at Exeter as has been reported, his Test career would be on hold for as long as he was at Sandy Park - even though he's yet to win a cap.
That only complicates the situation with Hawkins, meaning any deal would have needed to be done prior to his call-up on October 18, rather than his first cap on November 26.
Baxter's comments in February about there being no truth in the links with Hawkins haven't aged well, and hardly help his case on that front. However, he claimed on Wednesday that he had to "dampen down the rumours" because he was asked by the player not to make an announcement.
WalesOnline understand that senior members of the PRB are unhappy with the current situation and intend to adhere to the rules in place. Above all, it's very difficult to make concessions and maintain any semblance of credibility.
For as simple as Baxter made it sound in terms of the player and the WRU getting together to look at the paperwork, the lack of clarity as a whole makes the situation seem very convoluted. The Ospreys might also have a say in matters, depending on if they had been trying to convince Hawkins to stay and whatever the timeframe on that was.
Wall revealed this week that Walker and the WRU staff are "trying to get to the bottom of it". Whatever the case, the situation with Hawkins, you sense, has a fair way to run.
The Will Rowlands situation
The same is likely true with Dragons lock Will Rowlands. The Racing 92-bound second-row is trapped on 23 caps - two short of what he needs to carry on playing for Wales.
Earlier this week, Malcolm Wall made clear that the two were very different situations. While Hawkins' fate appears to lie on when pen was put to paper on a new contract, Rowlands' likely lies in when his new deal actually begins.
Most contracts for next season will usually start on July 1, but there have been some suggestions that Rowlands' deal could start a little later.
Whether that's late enough to win the two caps required in World Cup warm-ups to take him up to 25 is unclear, though. Wales' three matches prior to heading out on France take place on August 5, 12 and 19.
Let's say Rowlands' contract did allow him the chance to play in those fixtures, there's still an element of risk banking on a player effectively qualifying to carry on play on further for his country. What if he was named in the wider summer squad, but then missed out on two of those matches through injury?
It would be a bit farcical to say the least. Of course, that's just a hypothetical - which is about as much as can be offered up amid the general uncertainty.
For his part, Wall confirmed that Rowlands' case would be reviewed just like Hawkins. He appeared slightly more optimistic about Rowland's situation - even if he couldn't give a definitive answer.
The line about "trying to do everything we can to make sure there is a competitive Welsh team in the Rugby World Cup whilst adhering to the rules" at least hinted at some wiggle room.
How it affects Gatland and what he'll be thinking
Both players would be significant losses for Warren Gatland at this year's World Cup. Rowlands was the form second-row before injury struck, while Hawkins had been given an extended run in the 12 jersey throughout the Six Nations.
Gatland has spoken about the importance of the 25-cap rule since returning, stressing the importance of having home-based players available throughout a whole campaign.
That became apparent in how little Saracens star Nick Tompkins featured behind Hawkins during the championship, while Hawkins' future Exeter team-mate Christ Tshiunza missed out on the trips to Italy and France largely due to the fact he'd have to travel back to England midweek if not selected for either game.
However, Gatland would also want both players available for the World Cup. That desire could see the Wales coach push for concessions to be made.
His bosses will want to avoid setting a precedent, so that push-back might not lead to much. He has, after all, been here with Rhys Webb six years ago.
Certainly, for Gatland, Wall and Walker, it'll be a topic that crops up in conversation plenty of times over the coming months.
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