WRU expect IRB backing

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) will turn to the International Rugby Board (IRB) in a bid to secure their leading players' services in time for the November Test series.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) will turn to the International Rugby Board (IRB) in a bid to secure their leading players' services in time for the November Test series.

A bitter dispute, centring around the date the players are released for international duty, has raged on for some time now.

The Welsh regions want to keep their stars until as late as possible, due to EDF Energy Cup commitments on the weekend ending November 2. However coach Warren Gatland expects to have his squad together before that date.

Now, as the deadline draws nearer, the WRU are expecting the IRB to order the regions to hand their players over sooner rather than later.

The WRU believe they will have the full backing of the IRB, due to the fact in an agreement between the regions it is Gatland's name which appears as the final arbiter in any disagreements on said issue.

With the IRB coming to Scotland's rescue recently the WRU feels they have set a precedent, and if they are to be fair will rule in the same way in their case.

At present the four regions are unwilling to allow their players to join up with Wales until five days before the game.