The Welsh Rugby Union announced on Monday it will be scrapping 'Gatland's Law' and adopting a model similar to Australia's of selecting overseas based players so long as they have made 60 or more Test appearances.
The agreement comes into effect immediately and it brings the end to a selection policy that was first announced in August 2014 in the hope of stemming the exodus of Wales' top players to cash-strapped English and French clubs.
The change comes after three of Wales' top stars -- Liam Williams, Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb -- all signed deals outside of the four regions in the last nine months.
So what does it all mean for Wales coach Warren Gatland and his groups of players, and which other countries have similar policies in place?
What was the old policy?
The scrapped policy, dubbed 'Gatland's Law', allowed for just a handful of overseas-based players to be selected for international duty.
The policy was created to keep Wales' Test players within the regional system, but it also came with a number of caveats and a touch of confusion.
It was signed off in 2014 when the WRU and the regions settled long-term differences and dual contracts were introduced. They saw Wales' top players offered a combined deal between the union and region, allowing for a larger, more competitive offer in the face of approaches from England and France.
But there is further confusion. The policy did not apply to those not offered a contract by the WRU or regions, or someone who has been offered a deal deemed to be less than their overall market value.
Last season there were seven Welsh players captured by the policy, with Gatland only able to pick three.
How does the new policy work?
The WRU will only select overseas based players if they have made 60 Test appearances or more for their country.
It is a similar model that was adopted by Australia in the lead up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Jamie Roberts, Luke Charteris, Taulupe Faletau and George North -- all based in England -- currently meet the criteria.
There is a caveat, however, which allows players currently contracted outside of Wales to be selected during the term of their current deals.
That means Liam Williams (43 appearances for Wales) will be able to continue his international career as he signed for Saracens before Oct. 16.
Will the change help or hinder Wales?
It could go either way.
Rhys Webb -- one of the best scrum-halves in Europe -- might not feature for Wales at the next World Cup if he takes up his contract at Toulon next year while Ross Moriarty and Tomas Francis would have to return to the regions at the end of their current deals to be considered for selection.
That could weaken Wales in the short term, or force the trio to reconsider their club plans in order to further their international careers, which would also strengthen the local game.
For Dan Biggar, however, he needs to win four caps by the end of the season, prior to his move to Northampton, to stay eligible for Wales. While the rule change should see Wales' rising talent stay within the regions, some of their big names might test the market for a lucrative overseas deal.
Sam Warburton, Alan Wyn Jones and Jonathan Davies have all played over 60 Tests and may consider leaving Wales in the knowledge that it wouldn't jeopardize their international careers. That could have a detrimental effect on the club game if it was removed of some of its star attractions.
What other countries have overseas similair policies?
Wales have followed Australia's lead by selecting overseas based players who have made 60 or more Test appearances.
It was dubbed the 'Giteau Law' in Australia -- as one of the reasons for the rule change was to make Matt Giteau eligible for selection in the lead up to the 2015 World Cup.
South Africa have a similar policy, but overseas based players only need to have made 30 Test appearances.
New Zealand, Ireland and England are the only nations who have strict policies against selecting overseas based players.
There were calls for the RFU to make an exception to the rule when Steffon Armitage moved to France, but England refused to budge.
Louis Picamoles was also picked for France when he rediscovered his form at Northampton earlier this year, while there is talk that Christopher Tolofua will be selected for France for the upcoming November internationals despite plying his trade for Saracens in the Premiership.