Official RBS 6 Nations Rugby : Gatland left sweating on Wales' overseas contingent

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Warren Gatland could be without a number of his top stars for the international against Australia

Gatland left sweating on Wales' overseas contingent

8 November 2011, 6:09 pm

By Sportsbeat

Wales' preparations for next month's revenge mission against Australia looks have taken a setback with Warren Gatland unlikely to be able to call on the services of his foreign legion.

With non-Welsh clubs not required to release their players as the game is outside the IRB’s window Gatland could be without up to six players.

Three lynchpins of the backline, Mike Phillips, James Hook and Lee Byrne, are playing in France while another trio - Craig Mitchell, Andy Powell and Dwayne Peel – ply their trade in England’s Premiership.

The Welsh regions have agreed to release their players as Gatland’s side look to avenge their World Cup third-place play-off defeat against the Wallabies last month – which they lost 21-18.

However with the three French-based players likely to be involved in a round of Top 14 clashes on December 3 and Powell, Peel and Mitchell having Premiership games on their plate the task is looking a tough one.