Rugby Australia has officially overhauled its overseas selection policy, dubbed the Giteau Law, with Wallabies coach Dave Rennie only able to select three players who are not contracted to the governing body per series or tournament.
The number of Test caps a player needs to be eligible has however been cut from 60 to 30, while anyone based overseas who first gave five years' service to Australian rugby, rather than seven, can also be selected under the policy.
It sets up a situation where Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will have to decide between players based on what he deems the squad needs, but the updated policy will open up a far greater spread of players from which he has to choose.
"These amendments reflect a fit-for-purpose policy which will help our national teams compete at their best on the international stage across both the XVs and 7s games," Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos said.
"The updated policy follows extensive consideration and consultation, to ensure we could find the right balance between the importance of selecting players within our domestic competition structures, while also allowing the selection of overseas players as an exception, rather than a rule and only if that player has made a significant contribution to the game in Australia.
"Rugby is a global sport and we recognise the challenging environment we operate within where we realise we cannot keep all players on our shores.
"This policy shows we will continue to prioritise the players that are playing in Australia. These will be the first group of players considered for international selection before further consideration is given to any players playing abroad. Our national coaches and high-performance teams support this approach as they feel that our continued improvement on the world stage is best achieved through the localised and aligned management of our playing groups.
"Our message is simple, if you want to put yourself in the shop window for international selection you are still best served playing at home."
Marinos had been conducting a review into the policy alongside RA board members and former Wallabies Daniel Herbert and Phil Waugh for the past six months, while Rennie then presented his case to the panel once the Wallabies returned from the spring tour.
"He only had a board meeting just recently and he came and gave us really just his review of 2021, which is customary," Marinos said of Rennie's input.
"In terms of the consultation, absolutely, I spent a lot of time with Dave and [team manager Chris Webb] and the management team; we're not going to be making decisions or going down a path and not actually engaging with the key stakeholders, which is really important.
"So there is alignment and we're all on the same page, and we all know what is required for us to be successful on and off the field."
Rennie had last year been given special dispensation by the board to select players outside the original policy, which was created in the lead-up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and border restrictions both in Australia and abroad.
The Wallabies coach brought Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon in for the Rugby Championship, while Quade Cooper was also selected, but the veteran playmaker was already available under the existing Giteau Law requirements.
Rennie then added Rory Arnold, Will Skelton and Tolu Latu for the spring tour, before calling up Kurtley Beale and Ollie Hoskins as further injuries hit the squad. Beale this week announced he would return to Australian rugby in a bid to chase a fourth World Cup, making him immediately available to face England in July.
With Kerevi and Cooper playing such key roles in the Wallabies' mini resurgence in last year's Rugby Championship, the duo will likely be among the first names dotted down in the squad to face Eddie Jones' tourists.
That would leave only one further spot for a player based overseas under the updated overseas selection policy, with towering lock Arnold a prime candidate given the Wallabies' lack of local depth in the second-row. Marika Koroibete, who is now playing in Japan, would also likely come under strong consideration given his try-scoring ability and bone-rattling defence.
It is hoped the updated policy will help prevent players heading offshore at what is an increasingly younger age, encouraging them to build their careers in Australia before chasing what are lucrative contracts offshore.
If players want to represent Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup, they will give themselves a far greater chance of selection if they are based in Australia.
Earlier this week it was revealed that Reds and Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will head to England next season while rising Brumbies second-rower Nick Frost is taking up a contract in Japan.