Horsman 'gutted' by withdrawal

Chris Horsman has revealed his devastation after being withdrawn from Wales’ squad which faced Australia last weekend.

The Worcester prop was originally named as a replacement but Wales were forced to withdraw him after talks with Premier Rugby Limited – the English clubs’ umbrella organisation – failed to secure his release.

The Wallaby clash was outside the official international window, which meant clubs were not obliged to release players.

Wales did strike a deal with Worcester, which would have seen Horsman made available to his club for two weekends this month, but Premier Rugby refused to sanction the agreement.

So having picked the 28-year-old on the bench Wales had to hurriedly remove him and replace him with Gavin Thomas.

It was another blow for the four-cap tighthead who has so far had a 2006 to forget, having been sidelined for much of the year with an ankle injury.

“I was absolutely gutted,” said Horsman, speaking for the first time since club-country issue.

“The politics of it is beyond repair. As a player you are employed by your club. You want to do well for them and the next thing is you want to play for Wales.

“I’ve been stopped from playing rugby for various reasons, like injuries and cancer, and to be caught up in something like that, which I had no control over, was devastating.

“To be here at the start of last week and being involved in some of the build up and then having to go back was upsetting.

“But it wasn’t the club’s fault. It was just one of those things. You are a professional and you go back to your club and do what you are paid to do.”

Instead of being involved with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, Horsman suddenly found himself playing for Worcester in their 40-21 defeat against Leicester at Welford Road.

But now Horsman is available for the rest of Wales’ autumn internationals against the Pacific Islands this Saturday, Canada (November 17) and New Zealand (November 25).

And it is likely the Worcester star will be named in the starting line-up against the Islanders.

“It doesn’t come any better than this. Three chances to play for Wales are as big a carrot as you need.

“I’ve got my form and my fitness back, and now I’ve got another challenge. The front row boys did an excellent job at the weekend, and if I get my opportunity I’ve got to step up and show what I can do.

“The competition in the front row is fantastic at the moment and it’s bringing the best out of the boys. Look at the way Gethin (Jenkins) is playing now and Adam (Jones) is playing fantastically.

“So if Duncan (Jones) and I get a chance we have got to raise the bar again, but it’s very friendly competition.”

On the Pacific Islands clash Horsman said: “We know what we are coming up against on Saturday – they are a very physical, very proud, very passionate, group of players.

“eople like the Fijian players have a tough time trying to get funding and they are going to be out to prove a point.

“It’s going to be a very hard, physical game and they are going to be very professional.”

And Horsman knows Wales are going to have to display similar character to that they showed in the 29-29 draw with the Wallabies last weekend.

“The way the boys came back on Saturday was fantastic because Australia are renowned as the most resilient sides in world rugby – the hardest side to beat.

“To lose those points in the first 20 and come back in our first game against a side that was pretty battle hardened after the Tri-Nations was excellent.”