Magners League
Ospreys called to account
Scrum.com
April 8, 2010
Ospreys prop Adam Jones looks for the ball, Ospreys v Cardiff Blues, Magners League, Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, January 1, 2010
Adam Jones was unavalable to the Ospreys due to international commitments © Getty Images
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Teams: Ireland | Ospreys | Ulster | Wales

The Ospreys are again facing the wrath of rugby authorities after being called into account for their refusal to play a Magners League fixture against Ulster on March 19.

The Welsh region were reportedly unhappy with the rescheduled date for the fixture and requested that it be postponed due to their lack of front-row resources. They had provided Wales with Adam Jones, Huw Bennett and Paul James for their matchday squad to face Italy the following day while hooker Richard Hibbard and prop Duncan James were injured.

Celtic Rugby agreed to the postponement, with the Ospreys unwilling to call on players from their regional feeder clubs due to health and safety concerns. The region now face a fine or points deduction, an eventuality that will have a knock-on effect in the race for Magners League play-off places as they currently sit a point off the top four.

"This rule was introduced for health and safety reasons and Celtic Rugby could not sanction a match in these circumstances," read Celtic Rugby's statement at the time. "The reason for the postponement is that Ospreys are unable to supply suitably experienced front-row players in their match squad as is required under the Magners League rules and International Rugby Board rules."

The Ospreys have endured a season beset by controversy off the field after being fined for fielding a 16th man in their Heineken Cup win over Leicester, while their short-term deal with Springbok scrum-half Ricky Januarie was also subject of an ERC investigation.

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