Bath charged by Premiership Rugby

Premiership Rugby, which manages the Aviva Premiership, have today confirmed reports that they have decided to charge club side Bath for allegedly breaching Premiership Rugby approved policies.

The allegation relates to the specific policy around international duty and specifically Taulupe Faletau being released outside the periods specified in World Rugby Regulation 9.

Premiership Rugby statement – Bath Rugbyhttps://t.co/I8zEgCKXlq pic.twitter.com/dVIXz4vdlB

— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) December 5, 2017

The news comes after much speculation that Bath would be in-line for disciplinary actions when they announced Faletau would be available for Wales’ last Autumn test against South Africa.

While the majority of Wales’ England-based player had returned to their clubs, Faletau stayed with the national side.

The 27-year-old is believed to have negotiated for full release for international matches when he joined in 2016.

Bath had admitted they were taking a risk in allowing him to play, while back in 2013, Northampton Saints were fined £60,000 for releasing George North to play in a Test against Australia.

Bath Rugby have seven days to respond to the allegation and once that time has passed Premiership Rugby will issue a further update.