All of Wales’ Aviva Premiership-based players will be made available for the autumn Test opener against Australia in Cardiff on November 5.
Premiership Rugby has confirmed the one-off move, describing it as a “gesture of flexibility”.
It means that Wales’ interim head coach Rob Howley can call on the services of Northampton wing George North, Harlequins centre Jamie Roberts, Gloucester flanker Ross Moriarty, Exeter prop Tomas Francis, plus Bath forwards Luke Charteris and Taulupe Faletau, although number eight Faletau is currently injured.
Premiership Rugby – the umbrella organisation for England’s 12 Aviva Premiership clubs – do not normally release non-England players who ply their trade in the Premiership for Tests that fall outside World Rugby’s autumn international window.
The Australia game is outside of that official three-weekend slot, with Wales also facing Argentina, Japan and South Africa in November.
The Premiership Rugby decision applies to all nations in Test action on the weekend of November 4-6. The only other Tests that weekend are Ireland against New Zealand in Chicago and Japan versus Argentina.
“As a gesture of flexibility, the Premiership Rugby clubs will release their players outside the approved Test window for matches on the weekend of 4-6 November,” a Premiership Rugby spokesperson told Press Association Sport.
“This comes as we continue deliberations on a new post-2019 global season structure to find an appropriate balance between club and international rugby.
“We are showing flexibility to help a number of unions who have decided to play on this particular weekend, but we must stress this is a one-off variation to the allowed window while discussions continue.”
Premiership Rugby’s stance is a huge boost for Howley as Wales look to address a run of 11 successive defeats against Australia.
Howley is at the helm this season while head coach Warren Gatland concentrates on British and Irish Lions business building towards next summer’s three-Test New Zealand tour.
And the certainty of game-breakers like North and Roberts being available will be of huge benefit as preparations begin for the Wallabies fixture in 12 days’ time.
CUW
Guest
LIAM WILLIAMS is out injured. now hoping HALFPENNY will stay fit . on another note , there are other problems brewing in AVIVA http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-3865434/English-clubs-threaten-withhold-Scotland-players-autumn-Tests.html English clubs threaten to withhold Scotland players from autumn Tests English clubs have voted to withhold players over outstanding injury bills The SRU and other unions are alleged to owe up to £400,000 of payments Italy, Samoa and Tonga's unions are also embroiled in the dispute Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw is among the players who could miss out Scottish Rugby Union says talks with Premiership Rugby Ltd are ongoing
nigel brown
Roar Rookie
Peter K, Genia has been the find of the season. Wonder if it was due to him been out injured and came back in looking to prove he still had it in him to play test rugby. He proved me wrong, Will Genia be paired with Cooper or Foley ?
CUW
Guest
nothing to write home about , just 4 players in the Aviva that has 12 clubs !!! maybe they are being proactive after North's club was fined one time for releasing him outside the test window. also this will help then attract more elsh in future - previously they did not want to go to England becoz of not being able to play tests. if those clubs cant survive without these four guys , then they dont have squad depth. :)
ChrisG
Guest
Let's hope we also see the same common sense used by World Rugby as they attempt to resolve the global season issue!
PeterK
Roar Guru
That changes things. With Will Genia not being released from he french club (in all liklihood) and the Wallabies best attacking player this season in Kerevi being out injured Wales should be favourites to win this game. The attempt at the slam could now easily fall at the first hurdle.
TB
Guest
This was a very good gesture from the northern league.