George North and Ross Moriarty free for Wales tour

Last updated on .From the section Welsh Rugbycomments66

George North scores against Italy in the 2018 Six Nations
Wales v South Africa
Venue: RFK Stadium, Washington DC Date: Saturday, 2 June Kick-off: 22:00 BST
Coverage: Live scores on the BBC Sport website and app

George North and Ross Moriarty are free to go on Wales' summer tour, says backs coach Rob Howley.

Fellow English-based players Luke Charteris, Tomas Francis and Josh Adams were withdrawn from the trip after the English clubs enforced World Rugby rules over Test match windows.

Wales face South Africa and then Argentina twice in June.

Howley confirmed: "North and Moriarty are available for selection for all three games and will be playing."

The Test between Wales and the Springboks takes place on 2 June, outside the global dates in World Rugby's calendar.

Clubs based outside Wales are under no obligation to release players for games that fall outside those dates.

The Welsh Rugby Union has an agreement with Wales' four regions to ensure their players are available to the national team.

North is joining Ospreys from Northampton for 2018-19 while Moriarty is Dragons-bound from Gloucester.

Saints have been involved in talks aimed at releasing North early from his contract to make the tour.

Moriarty's new boss at Dragons, Bernard Jackman, did not expect any issues over the player's availability.

However, Charteris, Francis and Adams were replaced by Aaron Wainwright, Rhodri Jones and Ashton Hewitt respectively for the trip.

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66 comments

  • Comment posted by Barrian, at 15:02 23 May 2018

    Why do these English trolls bother to comment on this article. You're only winding yourselves up boys. Concentrate on your own team which needs all of the positive input it can get.

  • Comment posted by KeynesianKid, at 14:35 23 May 2018

    3. Woodie

    George North should be allowed to rest over the summer in order to
    recover fully from his recurrent head injuries. Poor player management.

    ----
    Try telling North that... with HP, LW and Steff Evans, George is fighting for his starting place. That's why he is being tried out at centre also.

    He deserves the chance to regain the form and win his shirt back.

  • Comment posted by Daio111, at 14:45 23 May 2018

    @1. "Wales play yet another test match outside agreed window ?"

    Its not, as you imply, Wales breaking any agreements. To build a team Wales need games. Eng are also playing outside the window - but their players are being released by the English clubs!

    The refusal of the RFU and AP to release Welsh players for the Wales tour even AFTER THE PLAYING SEASON HAS FINISHED! is a disgrace.

  • Comment posted by bentyger, at 14:36 23 May 2018

    @2.
    The WRU knew exactly what they were doing. Which was to send out a message. "Play for Wales, or play in the Premiership, the choice is yours".

    It might backfire, but I doubt it.

  • Comment posted by richardthethirsty, at 16:37 23 May 2018

    Ha. The English have always hated the Welsh. Just take a look at history. No wonder so many countries dislike England.

  • Comment posted by richardthethirsty, at 14:43 23 May 2018

    Most unions aren't as rich as the RFU, so I suggest you shut up.

    Pathetic insecure troll.

  • Comment posted by Nick Coyle, at 16:23 23 May 2018

    29. English Nationalist

    I thought you were half Japanese and half Australian Eddie but I suppose you convert enough players into english you might as wel be an english nationalist (small'e') youself

  • Comment posted by Tylie Dog, at 14:38 23 May 2018

    Common sense really as both players will be playing in the pro 14 next season. And with the withdrawal of the other players it will give other players a chance of international rugby. I really like the look of Aaron Wainwright. He's one for the future.

  • Comment posted by U17025345, at 17:52 23 May 2018

    @ Mister Joe Bangles

    I've just been reading your hys history.
    A Gooner and a serial troll with no interest in rugby unless the thread involves Sco or Wal.

    As for your opinions around M&S. A bit anal but each to their own.

    You're fun reading, btw. So much anger and pain.

  • Comment posted by Keep_It_Blue, at 15:41 23 May 2018

    @21 "I think they’ll have the same problem next season"

    Perhaps but maybe to a lesser extent as players leaving Wales with under 60 caps will no longer be considered. Also makes you wonder if players are still insisting on the release clauses in their contracts.
    As for Wales not paying RFU, I fully support them. You want to keep your best talent in Wales and that wouldn't be conducive to it.

  • Comment posted by MJP1966, at 17:29 24 May 2018

    #60 I think the rules say that as a minimum they must release during the window. The fact that they release England players shows its about money and not player welfare. I can understand it during the season when there are club games to play but this is after the season has ended. One rule for one....

  • Comment posted by Steve, at 15:05 23 May 2018

    8

    I like the look of Wainwright too, reminds me of a young Arron Shingler

  • Comment posted by Tylie Dog, at 21:39 23 May 2018

    @43...Wainwright is a flanker from the Dragons. I think he's only 19. He seems an exciting prospect having watched him on tv.

  • Comment posted by gogorgogled, at 16:55 23 May 2018

    Wales are playing 3 games over 2 weeks, while england are playing 4 over a month, wales seem to be managing their resources and trying to help grow the game in the US (nice cheque i'm sure as well) while england could be on a tour from hell. Plus this Sheilds thing makes England look like hypocrites right?

  • Comment posted by chunky, at 12:19 24 May 2018

    Can you think of another scenario, where an employer ruins the hopes, dreams and ambitions of its employees just to make a political point.

    The English Club game has always done this, look how its stopped players playing in world cups in the past, just to feather their own nests.

  • Comment posted by U16641947, at 21:04 23 May 2018

    Gatland in dire need of some help to organise the backs in particular to capitalise on counter attack opportunities. There is more than enough quality available 9 and out and the pack at full strength should hold its own against the best teams. Parity up front is enough, no reason (on paper) why Wales couldn't front with a very competitive outfit next year in Japan.

  • Comment posted by Theytakeusforfools, at 16:13 23 May 2018

    Two players with long term injury worries, need this tour like a head injury.

  • Comment posted by Wayne, at 15:34 24 May 2018

    50, how on earth is it racist.
    Rightly or wrongly English teams have the right to say no, I believe they can play the game but wru want them in the week to train.
    Everything is not racist these days.

    Stop jumping to race card snow flake.

  • Comment posted by Batchy, at 13:48 24 May 2018

    I dont see the point in enforcing these rules if you are no longer playing any games. Selfish in my view. But it still begs the question why the WRU always insist on playing games outside the international window. Just stick to the dates and all your players will be available.

  • Comment posted by gogorgogled, at 23:05 23 May 2018

    I understand rules are rules, as long as no one pretends it's about player burn out. Adams and Charteris haven't played for weeks, and Francis almost never starts for Exeter. No issues of tiredness at all.
    Maybe it is just the wru chancing it's arm, in a no lose situation, either they get the players 👍or make a point to players thinking of leaving 👍

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