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Premiership Rugby Limited have blocked Welsh players from the opening match of the upcoming tour to the Americas. The English based Tomas Francis, Luke Charteris, and Josh Adams are now to all be replaced by Welsh-based players.
The trio will be unable to play Wales’ matches in Washington D.C., San Juan and Santa Fé due to the first fixture falling outside of the World Rugby mandatory release window.
While fingers have been pointed at Premier Rugby for the decision additional questions remain to be answered. Wales’ match against South Africa is on June 02, or a week before the release window begins. Meanwhile Wales has no match on the third and final weekend of the window.
Head Coach Warren Gatland had previously confirmed his tour roster. It can be seen by clicking here.
Gatland’s team is to suffer not only from missing Luke Charteris, Tomas Francis, and Josh Adams but also due to the loss of Josh Navidi through injury. He was hurt playing for the Cardiff Blues this past weekend.
In preventing the Welsh players from playing on June 02 Premiership Rugby Limited has followed protocol. The vacant places have gone to Ashton Hewitt (Dragons), Rhodri Jones (Ospreys), and Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).
Gatland has opted against Charteris, Francis and Adams from joining the team in Argentina. The dates of June 09 and 16 fall within the release window yet all three will stay behind in the U.K.
South Africa is yet to confirm which players will feature in the Washington D.C. clash. Also unannounced is Argentina’s roster.
