Bell has pledged his international future to Wales

Bell withdrew from an England A squad last month as he wants to play for Wales after qualifying by residency.

That will not happen until 27 June, meaning he will miss Wales' summer tour of Argentina and South Africa.

IRB regulations may stop the plans even then because Bell toured with England in 1998.

The 29-year-old did not win a cap, but played against a New Zealand Academy side and sat on the bench in the 76-0 defeat to Australia in Brisbane.

Duncan has made it clear what his intentions are and we will do our best for him Wales team manager Alan Phillips

The IRB introduced new regulations in 2000, declaring that a player selected for a tour party cannot then play for another country.

The WRU will cite the case of Steve Devine, though, the Australian-born scrum-half who played for New Zealand in 2002.

He had represented the Australia Sevens side in 1998, before the more stringent IRB regulations were brought in.

Those law changes were introduced in the wake of the 'Grannygate' scandal that rocked Welsh rugby, with Brett Sinkinson and Shane Howarth playing for Wales without the necessary birth or residential qualifications.

The scars remain from that case, but the WRU are determined to do all they can to secure the services of former Ebbw Vale and Pontypridd man Bell.

"Myself and Steve Lewis met Duncan last week," said Wales team manager Alan Phillips.

"Following on from that we will be sending a letter to the IRB this week.

"Duncan has made it clear what his intentions are and we will do our best for him."

Ospreys tight-head Adam Jones is back to fitness ahead of the tour

The lack of a strong-scrummaging, mobile tight-head stymied Wales' Six Nations challenge, their scrum suffering as loose-head Gethin Jenkins was moved out of position.

Adam Jones will be back to fitness after missing Wales' last three matches and looks a certainty for the summer tour.

New national coach Mike Ruddock is also thought to be monitoring Lions prop Darren Morris' form at Leicester.

Chris Anthony has been in impressive form for the Dragons, currently coached by Ruddock.

Warriors tight-head Chris Horsman, another Englishman to pledge his future to Wales, could also come into the reckoning after he completes his three-year residential qualification in November.