Wales interim boss Rob Howley has revealed that the absence of Mike Phillips in Spala partly cost him a starting spot against Argentina.
Phillips, James Hook, Gethin Jenkins and Luke Charteris are all based in France and Howley has hinted that scrum-half Tavis Knoyle's impressive showing at the Wales training camp in Spala gave him the edge ahead of Phillips for the number nine shirt.
The Bayonne scrum-half has had to settle for a spot on the bench alongside Perpignan star James Hook.
"We've explained the benefits of playing in Wales," said Howley.
"Preparation for rugby is so important these days. One of the advantages of the participation agreement with the regions is the Welsh-based players are able to take part in our 13-day preparation period, which is critical for the team's chances of success.
"Tavis (Knoyle) has been available and he got through a lot of work last week in Poland.
"It was important for us that we had good preparation and, as a half-back, Tavis has been an integral part of the team.
"He has worked his socks off, deserves to start and has a great opportunity on Saturday."
"There is the issue of being in and around the team," continued Howley.
"The dynamics of the team are important when you spend time together because they contribute to the marginal gains.
"When you go to England or France to play your rugby, you take yourself out of that environment.
"It's a difficult one because some of those players who have gone are experienced and so we might lose that.
"But I suppose we have to take the hit because we want the best players to be in Wales."
One French-based player who will start though is Gethin Jenkins. The Toulon prop comes straight into the side at loosehead prop, an area where Howley admits Jenkins is world-class and Wales lack the same quality in depth as other positions.
"Gethin has come into the mix because he's available for the Australia game," stated Howley.
"He and (Luke) Charteris have been able to discuss and negotiate over their contracts and their availability to play for Wales.
"It's pretty important when you go abroad that you are responsible enough to make sure people know you want to play for Wales.
"At loose-head prop we have Gethin, world-class player that he is and with his experience.
"But in some positions we haven't got the strength in depth across the board.
"I would like to think we had."
Comments
mive59 says...
Hi Toulousain
I guess you are also French. So I greet you warmly.
You're absolutely right about the availability of elite French players for the national team.
The situation is absolutely ridiculous and dramatic. According to Jacques Verdier, editor of the Midi Olympique, by summing the days when players are available for Les Bleus, we are now ranked 11th. From this point of view, we are now a third tier nation.
The miracle lies in the fact that we are still 5th in the IRB. I'm afraid it down even faster. Objectively we should be top 3 nations of the world permanently.
In my opinion, it will take another "Knysna" that everyone (the League and the federation) agrees to negociate and adopt the international standards.
Finally, the old cliché about the lack of "consistency", the famous "you never know how France are going to turn up" is only the consequence of this situation. And not a form of romanticism and insousiance as ignorant of the sport often want to convey.
Posted 19:55 07th November 2012
mive59 says...
Hi Toulousain
I guess you are also French. So I greet you warmly.
You're absolutely right about the availability of elite French players for the national team.
The situation is absolutely ridiculous and dramatic. According to Jacques Verdier, editor of the Midi Olympique, by summing the days when players are available for Les Bleus, we are now ranked 11th. From this point of view, we are now a third tier nation.
The miracle lies in the fact that we are still 5th in the IRB. I'm afraid it down even faster. Objectively we should be top 3 nations of the world permanently.
In my opinion, it will take another "Knysna" that everyone (the League and the federation) agrees to negociate and adopt the international standards.
Finally, the old cliché about the lack of "consistency", the famous "you never know how France are going to turn up" is only the consequence of this situation. And not a form of romanticism and insousiance as ignorant of the sport often want to convey.
Posted 19:54 07th November 2012
mive59 says...
Hi Toulousain
I guess you are also French. So I greet you warmly.
You're absolutely right about the availability of elite French players for the national team.
The situation is absolutely ridiculous and dramatic. According to Jacques Verdier, editor of the Midi Olympique, by summing the days when players are available for Les Bleus, we are now ranked 11th. From this point of view, we are now a third tier nation.
The miracle lies in the fact that we are still 5th in the IRB. I'm afraid it down even faster. Objectively we should be top 3 nations of the world permanently.
In my opinion, it will take another "Knysna" that everyone (the League and the federation) agrees to negociate and adopt the international standards.
Finally, the old cliché about the lack of "consistency", the famous "you never know how France are going to turn up" is only the consequence of this situation. And not a form of romanticism and insousiance as ignorant of the sport often want to convey.
Posted 19:54 07th November 2012
mive59 says...
javascript:;
Posted 19:24 07th November 2012
Toulousain says...
Don't know if I should laugh or cry.
Imagine for a moment if Rob Howley had to put himself in Saint Andre's shoes? He would not be complaining about 4 players being unavailable for a 13-day camp in Poland.
He would be complaining about all 33 of his squad not being available until 5 days before a Test match, having all played for their clubs the previous weekend.
There's no other country in the world that has such little control over its elite players as France.
It's a miracle France even has a national team. How soon until the T14 clubs start paying/bribing players NOT to represent France. Why stop at Fiji???
Urrrrgggggghhhhhhh........
Posted 17:15 07th November 2012