English clubs causing selection headaches for Warren Gatland

There was good and bad news this morning for Wales coach Warren Gatland as his number 8 Taulupe Faletau was granted release from his club, Bath, to play this weekend in the clash against South Africa. However, there are still questions about the availability of other players while two more Jake Ball and Justin Tipuric were ruled out through injury.

Wales squad update: Two players released from squad – Jake Ball suffered dislocated shoulder v NZ and will undergo surgery. Justin Tipuric sustained quad injury and returns to Ospreys for further treatment.
Get well soon lads! pic.twitter.com/06QS8G97qQ

— Welsh Rugby Union ? (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 28, 2017

As the match falls outside World Rugby’s autumn international window it was unclear whether any of Faletau, Owen Williams, Tomas Francis, Rhys Priestland or Jamie Roberts were going to be available.

These players are signed with English clubs and the policy of Premiership Rugby is to not allow the release of non-England players for Tests outside the window, under the risk of a penalty fee and even the possibility of points deduction which Bath have said they will accept for the release of Faletau.

In a statement released by Bath it was stated, “We continue to support the objective of resolving the club and international calendar for the benefit of players, clubs and unions, which would prevent this being an issue in the future.” However, in another twist, they have not made Rhys Priestland or South African Francois Louw available for the encounter.

When asked about Louw, Springboks head coach, Allister Coetzee, said: “I just follow regulation nine (availability of international players) and, from our point of view, Francois Louw is definitely not available for us.

“I cannot comment on the internal arrangement in the north but, if there is any agreement, I do not know about it.”

Meanwhile, Wales centre Owen Williams has returned to Gloucester, while it remains unclear what the situation is with Harlequins star Jamie Roberts at this stage.

This is not the first time Wales have had problems with player availability after Northampton Saints were fined £60,000  when they allowed wing George North play for his national side.