No early release from Toulon: Gethin Jenkins
Wales prop Gethin Jenkins will not be given an early release to join the British and Irish Lions squad if Toulon make the Top 14 Final, according to the French club's head coach Bernard Laporte.
The Lions management are on a potential collision course with a number of French clubs over the availability of possible Lions players since the Top 14 Final falls on June 1, the same day as the Lions take on the Barbarians in Hong Kong.
Warren Gatland's team leaves for their tour of Australia on May 27 meaning that even players featuring in the Top 14 semi-finals - scheduled for 24-26 May - will struggle to make it on time.
Welsh stalwarts Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Luke Charteris, James Hook (both Perpignan) and Lee Byrne (Clermont) all ply their trade in France while the Armitage brothers, Simon Shaw, Andrew Sheridan and Jonny Wilkinson are at Toulon with Jenkins.
The Welsh prop is regarded as the leading candidate for the Lions Test loosehead berth but is likely to miss out on at least the start of the tour if Toulon repeat their appearance in this year's final, next June.
"The international window begins at the weekend of June 9. Everything that happens before that is outside of the window," Laporte told L'Equipe.
"As far as freeing up Gethin, in principle, it's a no.
"If he plays in the final, he will leave the day after, on Sunday June 2, but not before. We won't pay a player who has to go and play for the Lions at the most important time of our season.
"There is no specific clause in his contract about it."
Gatland is expected to hold talks with French clubs over the coming days but has not been done any favours by the congested calendar.
Comments
lawynd says...
Am I the only one who doesn't really see this as a loss? Most of those players are in the twilight of their careers and the ones (like Jenkins) who could have still performed have chosen to chase money over being first-choice at a club clearly weren't that interested in playing, which isn't the sort of person I want to see in the team. Steffon Armitage is really the only who I'd say should be in with a shout, maybe Charteris too. As far as Jenkins is concerned, I echo TVaddict's point - Healy, Corbisiero and Marler are all better performers at this point in their career anyway.
Posted 18:12 06th September 2012
Honestpom says...
No way should any British players be released without a specific clause in their contract. In the past British clubs and regions have held back time and again on releasing south sea islanders for their countries, now we can have a taste of our own medicine.
Posted 18:00 06th September 2012
Centre12 says...
Mountain out of a mole hill comes to mind, so he won't be able to play the warm up game against the Barbarians, gives the coaches the opportunity to see someone else in that position. He will still be able to play the rest of the games leading up to the Tests.
Posted 17:28 06th September 2012
ollieosprey says...
I really think moving to toulon has ruined his career... won't get to play for Wales as much, as i understand is behind Sheridan in the pecking order and now might not play for the lions...
I am a massive fan of his but was so disapionted with his decision to go to Toulon, Sadly we know its for the money as if you wanted to experience a new club, new culture, why wouldnt you move to a club were you a garenteed a starting place?
I believe he is up there with the best in the world so it's a huge shame...
Posted 17:03 06th September 2012
TVaddict says...
If Jenkins hasn't cared enough to get a release clause put into his contract then he doesn't really deserve to go. I mean we have Cian Healy who was probably odds on to start anyway, and in cover we've got Marler, who is only going to get better this year, and Corbisiero who has proven himself against some strong scrummaging nations. Although it's a loss of competition for the position, it's not that much of a loss as it's not like Australia have a strong scrum anyway.
Posted 15:37 06th September 2012
leinster_goy says...
the no 1 shirt is Cian Healy's to lose now. Tarf's finest comin' atcha, oz
Posted 15:32 06th September 2012
APV1 says...
I have to say that I agree with Laporte on this - they've made their beds and now have to lie in them.
I'd even be surprised if Gatland lets them join the tour later, but who knows?
Posted 15:20 06th September 2012
Frooschman says...
You can understand why the likes of Simon Shaw and Jonny Wilkinson don't have Lions release clauses in their contracts. But why on earth would Jenkins not have one in his?!
Posted 14:51 06th September 2012