Rugby

Players must be released for national duties

September 18, 2019 5:02 pm

World Rugby has once again put its foot down – national duties take precedence over club commitments.

Board Chair Bill Beaumont during a press conference in Japan has stated that players selected for any international events should not be held back by their club.

“Every player who wants to be released to play international rugby has to be released by his club. If the player wants to play in the Rugby World Cup, he wants to play in U20s, in 7s – he has to be released under Regulation 9.”

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Pacific teams have often struggled with player release for international Test matches and tours with Samoa being the very latest to cry foul pre World Cup

The Flying Fijians have in the past had to go without some of the best talents in the world, because players weren’t allowed to leave in the middle of club seasons.

Regulation nine of World Rugby states any Association, Rugby Body or Club is obliged to release a Player for a National Representative Team.

It further states no Union, Association, Rugby Body or Club whether, by contract, conduct or otherwise may inhibit, prevent, discourage, disincentivise any player from selection, attendance, and appearance in a national team.