Public message to MaestegMafia

You were right and I was wrong. The WRU DOES have better relationship with the French clubs compared with the English ones/PRL.

Mike Phillips was released for all 4 AI games when he didn't need to be.

He may be the only example I can find where an Welsh player was released for more time than he had to be during the season but it proves you were right and I was wrong.

Just wanted to put it out there (I don't expect you care but still...)

Yeah, the WRU went over to France on a sort of friend finding mission (Gats, Howley and Edwards I think). They went to spend time with clubs, get to know coaches, and basically try to make friends so that requests for player release may be helped. I think that's why we managed to get Charteris for one game outside the window as we said they could have him for one in the window (the 1st game against Argentina). Can't find a link to the Gatland interview about this trip, but it's out there somewhere.

Whether they've considered trying this with the English clubs, or whether they have decided it will be futile, I don't know.

its not just this season, a similar deal was done for both Alfie and Wellies when they were there.

For what its worth I don't think its neccessarily the clubs that block the release more the governing body PRL is it?

The clubs ARE the PRL but that's a different thread

This suggests Jones wasn't released (at least not always). Not sure.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/4580480.stm

HammerofThunor wrote:The clubs ARE the PRL but that's a different thread

Hammer,

I am sure a few seasons ago Sale were willing to release either Dwayne Peel or Mark Taylor outside the IRB window but were stopped.

Sale had already given their rights away. They can say whatever they want in specific situations but they still voted to give the collective PRL the negotiation rights for additional player release. The PRL isn't some strange entity that sprang up and took over. Each club has a representative and they vote on things. This was one of those things that they all voted for.

Sale were simply trying to play both sides. Voted for it but acted as though it was out of their hands when speaking to players/WRU/press.

Ah fair one, so I guess theye were trying to look all co-operative by saying yes you can have the players but knew damn well that they wouldn't be released anyway.

the PRl is a clubs organisation, and they all sign up to the agreement to abide by its rules, it also negotiates collectively on their behalf with the RFU.
The collective nature of it (one vote per club) means that the small clubs (ie majority) are able to demand the retention of the salary cap, smoothed EPS payments etc.
One of the rules is that no club will release players outside the IRB window. This is because the clubs are trying to collectively bargain for release payments, e.g the EPS cash. If they start releasing foriegn players outside the IRB window it makes their demands to their own Union harder to justify.
It also further weakens the club game, and its not unreasonable for the clubs to want a strong club game...its what they are there for.

I assume the WRU have done a closed deal to pay his insurance and recompense the club. Id be very surprised if they agreed to the release purely on the basis that the WRU mission being thoroughly likeable chaps and buying a few rounds of Pernot.
Who knows maybe the WRU have even hinted they will look at being flexible on the HC (sacrifice their own club game again) in return for prisoners being returned home. That pure guesswork of an over active imagination mind.

Ha ha ha...! well done HT mate...

Your sense of humour shines on.

It wasn't supposed to be funny.

Well it definitely was... Maybe if we all think of you as trying to be funny rather than serious we will all enjoy your posting more.

I doubt it.

Maybe you're right.