Wales Probables v Wales Possibles
Henson unavailable for Welsh trial
ESPN Staff
May 14, 2014
Gavin Henson will not be playing in the Welsh trial match © Getty Images
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Bath duo Gavin Henson and Paul James will not be available for Wales' Possibles v Probables match on May 30.

The match falls outside of the agreed international Test window and Premier Rugby policy prevents clubs from allowing players to run out for their countries in that instance. As a result, Bath will fall in line with PRL regulations and James and Henson will be available for Wales duty from June 1, a Bath spokesperson confirmed to ESPN.

Earlier this week, a PRL spokesperson explained their stance over international release, saying: "Premiership Rugby has a policy to only release non-England players under the conditions of the International Rugby Board's regulation nine. This regulation covers international release for every Test country across the world. This trial match does not fall under IRB regulation nine."

The news will come as a blow for Henson's Test prospects with him being named in the 'Probables' squad. Wales boss Warren Gatland said on Tuesday he will be reluctant to pick those not involved in the trial match.

"If they are not involved it makes if difficult for us to select them," Gatland said. "And, going forward, we might potentially have to review the policy of picking English-based players if they are not available to us."

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