Cooper Released In Wake Of Welsh Rugby Row
In an effort to resolve the ongoing row between English and Wales clubs and the Welsh Rugby Union regarding player availability, Gloucester have released Gareth Cooper to play in Wales’ final autumn Test with Australia this weekend.
The game falls outside the International Rugby Board window for autumn Tests and therefore Cooper and Sale Sharks star Dwayne Peel have been restricted from playing for Wales, as English Premiership clubs refused their release.
However, Cooper has been granted permission to play this weekend, as Gloucester and the Welsh Rugby Union finally came to agreement.
Wales coach Warren Gatland had decided to take Cooper over Peel for autumn games against South Africa and New Zealand. Now that he has been released, he will continue to play as Wales’ top scrum-half instead of playing for Gloucester against Northampton next weekend.
The agreement comes after a continuing conflict over England-based Wales players. The WRU has no contractual agreement with English clubs regarding player availability for the Australia game because it falls outside the IRB window. Cooper was caught in the middle of the storm because Gloucester had picked him to play in their Premiership match against Saracens earlier this month, even though he was due to play for his Wales team.
The WRU has gone as far as to take its own regions to court to ensure the early release of Welsh players.
While Cooper has been released, Premier Rugby Ltd reportedly refused to let him, along with Peel, meet up with Wales early to prepare for the match.
These issues have led Wales coach Warren Gatland to report that the conflicts could negatively affect on the Welsh international careers of Peel, Cooper and other English-based Wales players.
