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Warren Gatland: 'Harlequins move won't affect Jamie Roberts's Wales hopes'

Warren Gatland insists that Jamie Roberts will remain in his Wales plans, despite a move to Harlequins being on the cards.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has insisted that Jamie Roberts will not be overlooked for a call-up to the national squad should he join Harlequins.

The 28-year-old has turned down a move to former club Cardiff Blues in order to link up with Aviva Premiership outfit Quins later this year.

Gatland has stated in the past that he would like all his players to ply their trade in Wales at club level, although he has kept the door open for Roberts to continue playing for the Red Dragons.

"There's not a hard and fast rule as there is with England," Gatland told BBC Sport. "There are exceptions where players have been playing outside of Wales and there are one or two wildcards we could pick.

"They do play outside of Wales but they could be selected, but I think the long-term goal is to have a policy where, ideally, we pick players who are playing in Wales."

Roberts is under contract at Racing Metro until 2016, but he is expected to be released by the Top 14 club.

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