Welsh Rugby Union is angered by Premier Rugby
Roger Lewis, the chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union has ridiculed Premier Rugby, who is responsible for the top clubs in England.
The organisation has confirmed that they will only release players 35 days before the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
Lewis said, "To disadvantage them [players] from not being able to play for their country at a Rugby World Cup is scandalous and I think it is deeply, deeply regrettable. It's absolutely extraordinary."
"We're absolutely bemused, as is the rugby world, at the behaviour of Premier Rugby."
On the other hand, Mark McCafferty of Premier Rugby has said that he was surprised by Lewis’ reaction.
"I'm staggered, frankly, that it has been raised as an issue. We don't make these rules. The International Rugby Board makes these rules."
Under IRB regulation, Premier Rugby can refuse to release players until 35 days before the tournament.
Wales players Dwayne Peel, Andy Powell and Nicky Robinson risk losing their places in the Welsh squad as they play rugby in the Aviva Premiership.
Fortunately, England will not have the same problem as the English Rugby Football Union has paid Premier Rugby £110m for the early release of international players.
Lewis was adamant that the Welsh Rugby Union would not be willing to pay money to Premier Rugby for the release of any Welsh players in the Aviva Premiership.
"That said, it's not a big issue for us in Wales because [most of] our players are playing in Wales," he said.
"It's a big issue for Scotland, because so many of their players are playing their rugby in England, but also it's a huge issue for countries such as Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Argentina."
"I think it is scandalous that this pressure is being put on those countries and it's a deeply sad day for rugby," he added.
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