WRU in the dark over ‘Prop-gate’

WALES have been left perplexed and dismayed by the decision of Six Nations chiefs to in effect clear France over the Uini Atonio substitution scandal without even telling them about it.

The Welsh Rugby Union say as far as they are concerned the Six Nations probe into the Paris controversy is still ongoing... because they haven’t been informed of any decision!

But the Six Nations issued a statement to the media at lunchtime yesterday saying that while France had been reprimanded for infringing the laws, there was no ‘clear evidence’ of them ‘trying to gain an advantage’ over Wales with the controversial prop replacement.

Their conclusions, at the end of a three-month investigation into the controversy, have shocked Wales’ management, players and officials.

The WRU say they have still not been notified of anything and are assuming the Six Nations investigation is continuing.

The probe had been launched after Welsh boss Rob Howley accused the French of bringing the integrity of rugby into question with their contentious decision to replace Atonio, who had a head injury, with renowned scrummager Rabah Slimani while the March game was in the balance before France won 20-18.

“The WRU has received no correspondence on this subject from the Six Nations and can only surmise that the matter has not been concluded,” the Union said in a statement issued last night.

“It would be standard practice for Six Nations to communicate with the unions concerned before any public announcement.

“The WRU would therefore not be in a position to comment further at this stage.”