James Hook has been warned to ensure he has full release for Wales training in his contract with Gloucester Rugby .
The fly-half has agreed terms with the Cherry and Whites and his signature is imminent.
He will be the latest Welsh international to join an Aviva Premiership club following in the footsteps of Paul James at Bath Rugby, Northampton’s George North and Richard Hibbard.
It is understood Hibbard secured no extra release outside of IRB sanctioned windows but Wales backs coach Rob Howley has reiterated that players crossing the border should ensure they are fully available.
He said: “I have had a conversation with James last week.
“It is not just James, it’s all the players who are venturing across the Severn Bridge.
“We have been quite consistent with players we have spoken to over the last four or five years who have not been involved in the international environment and looking at release clauses on their contract.
“Some with their relations with their agent have been putting that clause in but there are others that haven’t. It is understanding about how strong a body Premier Rugby is at the moment. Players know that when they are signing.”
George North had it written into his contract with Northampton Saints last year that he would be fully available for Wales but this goes against PRL policies which stipulate players are only released during official windows.
Northampton Saints were fined £60,000 for releasing North for Wales’ fourth autumn international against Australia, missing his club’s game against Worcester.
It is unlikely the Kingsholm club would be willing to fork out such a cost for extra release, and Hook has played a limited part under Warren Gatland in recent months.
Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rugby-springboks-continue-wales-domination-cardiff-win-200500548--spt.html
Gloucester Rugby"s new signing James Hook will need to ensure he is available ...
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