Gatland plans key talks for England-based stars
WARREN Gatland is ready for urgent talks in a bid to bolster his Wales side with England-based players for Saturday’s autumn finale against South Africa.
Gatland is still hoping to be able to pick Bath duo Taulupe Faletau and Rhys Priestland, Gloucester’s Owen Williams and Exeter’s Tomas Francis for the must-win clash with the Springboks.
The availability of Harlequins centre Jamie Roberts also comes into the equation as Wales seek to end the autumn on a high following defeats to Australia and New Zealand and a scrappy victory over minnows Georgia.
The Springboks match takes place outside of World Rugby’s international window, meaning the Aviva Premiership clubs have a right to recall their players for league duty.
Gatland initially said last week that Faletau would definitely be available to face the Boks and that he was hopeful over Roberts.
However, after Saturday’s 33-18 loss to New Zealand, he was unsure about the situation as negotiations continue with Premier Rugby, the umbrella body of the 12 top-flight English clubs.
“I will need to talk to them and see what the position is with those players that are involved at the English clubs,” said Gatland.
A spokesman for the Aviva Premiership insisted their stance had not changed, meaning the players are unavailable for international duty.
Bath play Exeter at the same time Wales are facing South Africa and will want Faletau and Priestland in their own line-up. The Chiefs, of course, intend to choose tight-head prop Francis.
Williams’s Gloucester also have a Saturday afternoon Kingsholm clash with London Irish, while Roberts’s Harlequins host Saracens the folloing day. In the past Northampton have been fined for letting George North play for Wales in the controversial ‘fourth’ Test and that could happen again if clubs don’t abide by Premier Rugby’s regulations.
It could leave Gatland needing to significantly alter his side again, with the Scarlets’ newly Welsh-qualified Kiwi Hadleigh Parkes likely to make his Wales debut in place of the absent Williams.
Josh Navidi, who was one of the shining lights on Saturday, may have to be moved from openside to No. 8 to cover for Faletau.
Wales’s selection problems are complicated further by injuries to Rhys Webb, who will need to go through concussion protocols, and Jake Ball, who went off early against New Zealand with a shoulder problem.
Scott Williams will also need to prove his fitness after sustaining an ankle injury.
Wales know the South Africa game will define their autumn and that they need a big scalp.
While Wales have struggled over the past three weeks, Six Nations rivals Ireland, Scotland and England have each recorded resounding victories over southern hemisphere opposition.