WALES will play A team fixtures next season for the first time since 2002 when they lock horns with Six Nations rivals.

The Wales A team will be used for player development and is expected to provide a missing link for future internationals who have the potential to step up from regional, club or U20s rugby.

WRU chief executive hopes that the reintroduction, playing the likes of England Saxons and the Irish Wolfhounds, will help bridge the gap from regional to Test rugby – and revealed that the governing body has increased the amount it is spending on national dual contracts by £500,000.

"We are serious about retaining and repatriating key players, the players know that, and we agreed with the regions in December to increase the NDC pot," said Phillips.

"But outside of the national squad we know we simply don't have the required strength in depth and the only way we are going to improve that is by exposing players to situations they find difficult.

"We will reconstitute the Wales A team for next season and believe getting these fixtures up and running can help both ourselves and the regions by exposing the next cadre of players to a different, higher level of competition.

"If we can identify at Under-20 level and upwards those players who can handle the intensity, and help to improve those who can't just yet, we can actually move forward quite rapidly.

"They will be Six Nations fixtures to start with, but we have an open mind over other opponents.

"We will pick teams where we are giving players an experience, where it is from a travel or intensity perspective.

"A big part of the job is making sure that the Wales A team and Under-20s are about development and then winning, but in that order."

Geraint John, in charge of player development at the WRU hopes that A team fixtures will underpin the seniors' efforts at Japan 2019.

"The A team will provide the missing link for some players and ultimately improve the depth of talent available to both the national squad and to the regions," said John.

"The matches will be an opportunity for players to experience the intensity of the international experience and fill the gap between age-grade rugby and the regional game and international competition."