Premier Rugby take SARU to IRB

Premier Rugby have announced they will make a formal complaint to the IRB with regards to comments made by the South African Rugby Union

Premier Rugby have announced they will make a formal complaint to the IRB with regards to comments made by the South African Rugby Union.

Premier Rugby will lodge the complaint with the game's governing body alleging a breach of international regulations by SARU through their actions and statements this week and especially at Thursday's press conference.

The issue concerns Springbok and Bath playmaker Butch James , who was due to feature at inside centre in Saturday's clash with Wales before being withdrawn.
Clubs are not obliged to release players for a match that falls outside the recognised IRB June playing window.
The SARU had hoped to secure James' release by virtue of clauses in his contract but their request was rejected by PRL, the umbrella organisation for the Guinness Premiership clubs.
The ruling has upset the SARU, whose president Oregan Hoskins was left further infuriated after Saracens hooker Schalk Brits was allowed by his club to play for the Barbarians.
“SARU, Bath and Butch were all keen to see Butch play but the rule has been strictly enforced,” said Hoskins.
PRL have responded by issuing a statement that they will take the matter up with the IRB.

“These actions and statements have been repeatedly directed against Bath Rugby and Premier Rugby and seem to have been designed to put unfair pressure on the player and his club, who have acted in accordance with the IRB's regulations and to deflect attention away from the real causes of the issue,” read a statement from Premier Rugby .

“June matches in the international calendar are played in the southern hemisphere and the schedule is settled years in advance. Apparently this extra one-off match outside the schedule and in the northern hemisphere was only arranged earlier this year and seems to be primarily a money-making exercise for which SARU is apparently receiving a large fee.

“When arranging a match outside the international window, all Unions should be aware of their regulations concerning player release. On Wednesday, it became clear that SARU had not properly understood these regulations.

As a result, actions have been taken and statements made by SARU which have been damaging to the interests of the player, his club and Premier Rugby. “