Staying put: James Haskell
Stade Français have had their request for James Haskell to be released for Top 14 action against Toulouse turned down by the Rugby Football Union.
Back-row forward Haskell will be resting this weekend ahead of England's final two matches of this season's Six Nations Championship.
Under an agreement between clubs from the Guinness Premiership and the Rugby Football Union (RFU), England's players do not play domestically during the competition.
"We reached an agreement with Stade Francais last summer and it is in James' contract that he is available during elite player squad periods, so we are under no obligation to release him," read an RFU statement.
The news comes on the back of Stade President Max Guazzini telling AFP that no such 'rest agreement' exists between the French federation and the clubs concerning this weekend's matches, leaving Haskell free to play.
"We have contacted the English Federation to ask them to release Haskell," said Guazzini on Monday.
"We have also contacted the player to ask him to return here immediately. Stade Français is not an English club, and is not bound by this agreement.
"We were very generous before the start of the tournament for the training sessions. But this, this is the 'clasico' with Toulouse at the Stade de France, this is not just another match for the club.
"The coaches can take the decision as to whether he plays or not, but he must at the very least be available for selection."
Stade Français will have their French internationals available - which was not the case ten days ago when they were barred from playing in the Top 14 - for what is a crucial match for Guazzini's side.
Stade are presently seventh, a place outside the top six sides that will progress to the end of season play-offs and five points behind Racing-Metro, whilst Toulouse are fourth with six matches remaining.
Comments
KiwiRooster says...
Not mentioning the fact that Stade Francais are still paying Haskell his salary during all the time is training for England. Since there is no agreement with the RFU, unlike with the Guiness Premiership clubs, Stade Francais does not receive any compensation either. Guazzini have all the reasons to feel let down.
Posted 01:00 03rd March 2010
KiwiRooster says...
It has been confirmed that this period in the middle of the Six Nations is not part of the international calendar issued by the IRB. Therefore the only way the RFU could prevent Haskell to return to his club in France is if a contract has been signed between the two parties. This is not the case according to Guazzini. Let see what happens next. It is only a pity for the game of rugby that the RFU does not return the favor to Stade Francais. By preventing Haskell to return for the match against Toulouse, they certainly intend to force the player to leave from his current club. There is little chance Guazzini will accept to release Haskell again between the international windows, and ultimately Johnson will not select him for that reason. So Haskell will have to chose whether to stay in France or return in England. This is all the more pernicious from the RFU since on that same period the English internationals are returning to their English clubs anyway. The RFU is obviously making an example of Haskell and at the end only the player lose in the story. Even though Haskell wants to play against Toulouse, his opinion does not seem to count for much. Martin Johnson and Rob Andrew have everything to learn when it comes to the spirit of camaraderie. In the meantime, the FFR and Marc Lievremont have also released the French internationals who are back to their clubs. When Dupuy was playing at Leicester and for France in the Six Nations last year, the FFR never opposed to his return in club. Consequently, Dupuy played both matches for the Leicester Tigers on Feb 15th against the London Wasps and on March 7th against Gloucester. This was right in the middle of the Six Nations. As I said before, it would be nice to see the bloody Poms returning a favor once in a while. And some people say the French are arrogant...
Posted 00:27 03rd March 2010
KiwiRooster says...
That is English fair play for you. I am not one of their supporters but the fact is Stade Francais released Haskell earlier before the start of the Six Nations so he can be made available to Martin Johnson and train normally with his national team. Guazzini had no obligation to do so given they are no contractual agreement between the RFU and the French League (LNR). The agreement between the RFU and the Premiership Clubs does not apply to Stade Francais. Stade Francais being Haskell's current employer, the RFU should have no say regarding the player's availability unless the IRB stipulates so. However it is not a clever move from the RFU. I doubt Stade Francais would take the RFU to the European court but you can bet Guazzini will no longer release Haskell to the RFU when the next England's tour comes around. At least, the player will not be made available outside the normal international windows which could be a real problem for the RFU. It seems unbelievable to me that when Stade Francais shows such good will with Martin Johnson and his boss, the only answer they get in return is a slap in the face. The FFR have released the French players to their clubs, Trinh-Duc and Ouedraogo will play for Montpellier, so will most of the French internationals, pity the RFU does not share the same fair play. After that they will complain that the French do not cooperate. Typical.
Posted 22:14 02nd March 2010