Club coaches demand respect

Jenkins is unhappy with the communication levels

Two of Wales' leading club coaches have has accused the Wales international management team of acting with a total lack of respect towards Welsh club rugby.

Newport's Ian McIntosh and Llanelli's Gareth Jenkins launched their separate attacks after receiving late confirmation of changes to the national side's training schedule.

McIntosh was fuming after receiving a last-minute request to rest his Wales international centre Andy Marinos for Friday's league match at Edinburgh.

Jenkins says there has been a total breakdown of communication between the Wales management team and the clubs.

According to McIntosh, his preparations for the crucial encounter have been severely disrupted by the late demand.

We shouldn't be told at the last minute that players aren't available

Ian McIntosh

"At the 11th hour, we've got to find someone to take Andy's place at centre - a player we haven't got," said McIntosh.

"Had we been informed a little earlier about Andy, obviously we could have done our preparation differently.

"But all week we've been preparing with Jon Pritchard and Andy at centre. It's very disturbing.

"As we respect the preparations of the Wales squad, then respect should also be given to the clubs.

"We shouldn't be told at the last minute that players aren't available."

The South African believes all club matches should be postponed during the Six Nations Championship to ensure all the top players are available to play for their clubs.

A compromise to suit both the international team and the clubs should not be too difficult to reach, McIntosh argued.

"But to treat us with no respect as if we have nothing to organise is very bad," he added.

Llanelli's preparations for their Friday night clash at Ebbw Vale have also been hampered by the ban on using international players.

With their regular fly-half Stephen Jones ordered to rest, Llanelli must rely on their only other recognised fly-half.

The only problem is that Gareth Bowen is currently on the other side of the world with the Wales Sevens squad.

Therefore, the Welsh Rugby Union are footing the bill to fly Bowen home from New Zealand in time for the match.

Bowen faces a 26 hour flight from New Zealand

He will arrive at Heathrow at six o'clock on Friday morning and is expected to play a first-class competitive match some 13 hours later.

Llanelli director of rugby Gareth Jenkins says he supports Graham Henry wish to have his players rested between international matches.

But he is not impressed by the level of the WRU's communication skills.

Jenkins said: "I think there is a major breakdown in communication when Wales training schedules are rearranged.

"The information doesn't come back to the clubs. I don't think that's fair.

"This has nothing to do with Graham Henry - he has the right to re-focus and rearrange his needs.

"But the administration back-up needs to be far more professional and far more respectful.

"They are not showing it to us at the moment and it disappoints me that a simple thing like a phone call, a letter, an email or a fax doesn't reach us when arrangements are changed.

"So yes, I'm pretty disappointed."