Aviva Based Welsh players to miss World Cup Camp

[goodNumber10]

And so it begins, Premiership Clubs refuse to release Welsh Squad members for July camps, they will only be available from 8th August on wards.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32314431

Most of Wales' England-based players will not be allowed to attend the pre-World Cup training camps in July.
Gloucester's Richard Hibbard and Bath-bound Rhys Priestland are unavailable until the day before Wales' first warm-up against Ireland on 8 August - 35 days before the tournament starts.
Aviva Premiership clubs are sticking by their stance, saying: "Our policy is to release players within the rules."

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Considering the PRL's history of only releasing when they have to, it's not the biggest story to break.
Players will probably be quite grateful considering the history of injury in the intensive Welsh training camps.

 

[ncurd]

And this is why England don't allow players to play outside of the AP.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Northampton signed a special contract to release North didn't they? Are there any others like that?

 

[McTallshort]

Northampton signed a special contract to release North didn't they? Are there any others like that?

They will get fined again if they do....

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Actually, for some completely idiotic reason, Saints can't get fined for releasing him again.
That one fine covers his entire contract.

 

[Bluemoon]

Actually, for some completely idiotic reason, Saints can't get fined for releasing him again.
That one fine covers his entire contract.

I thought that was the case as well. Great for Wales, but then in future wouldn't clubs just pay the £60,000 as an added expense of having an international player?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yup, sets a dangerous precedent.
Shouldve been fined an increasingly extravagant amount each time they did it.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Well for Leicester it doesn't matter due to Williams injury unfortunately.

I can see Owen leaving next season fortunately Burns is improving with every game.

 

[Jbobo]

Considering the PRL's history of only releasing when they have to, it's not the biggest story to break.
Players will probably be quite grateful considering the history of injury in the intensive Welsh training camps.

Somehow i doubt the players will be glad to join the camp late, or that it will help Wales in any way. Wales have of late had less injuries than England and have proven in the past to be one of the fittest teams in the world. Do you have any evidence that the intensive training camps have resulted in increased injury? Assumption is the mother of ignorance. Wales are sometimes undercooked, but that's because so many internationals play outside of Wales and more importantly, do not play together in their teams. When they get together and train for an extended amount of time, they are probably the best in NH (my opinion).

By not allowing Welsh players to join the Welsh camp, it could prove significant in England's chances. Lancaster better cross his fingers.

 

[91jmay]

Lancaster shouldn't care. We have beaten Wales last two times we've played them, worry about ourselves and we can deal with Wales.

 

[Peat]

And this is why England don't allow players to play outside of the AP.

It's not. The AP is the only league with this sort of behaviour - international release clauses can be stuck in contracts absolutely anywhere else. I'm not saying there aren't some problems, but nothing on this scale. England's action is solely about keeping English talent at home to benefit the AP.

 

[ncurd]

Yes but how many English players have release clauses elsewhere? Lancaster and the RFU would have a much harder time keeping Armitage out if he were available the entire time for training. However Toulon won't release him if he were called up and his contract almost certainly doesn't have that clause or we'd know.

At the end of the day your right that's the true purpose of the rule but it is usually justified on these grounds.

As for the Welsh players they made their beds knowing full well what would probably happen. Their mistake.

 

[goodNumber10]

Yes but how many English players have release clauses elsewhere? Lancaster and the RFU would have a much harder time keeping Armitage out if he were available the entire time for training. However Toulon won't release him if he were called up and his contract almost certainly doesn't have that clause or we'd know.

At the end of the day your right that's the true purpose of the rule but it is usually justified on these grounds.

As for the Welsh players they made their beds knowing full well what would probably happen. Their mistake.

They don't have them because we've made it clear we won't pick them because it doesn't work.

Haskell, Wilkinson Etc... Had clauses and it proved about as effective at securing their release for training as a kick in the face.