Young defends decision to release players to Baa-Baas

Nov 29 2007 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

DAI Young has defended his decision to let Martyn Williams and Tom Shanklin play for the Barbarians this weekend.

Despite having 11 players unavailable through injuries for the EDF Energy Cup clash against Bath tomorrow evening, Cardiff Blues have released the British Lions duo for the invitational side for the clash against world champions South Africa on Saturday.

Sale blocked the inclusion of England prop Andrew Sheridan and recalled him for their clash against Leicester, while Bristol have warned Barbarians captain Mark Regan he faces disciplinary action if he plays. Premier Rugby had forbidden any player from their 12 members clubs from taking place in the fixture against the Springboks to protect the integrity of the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Young admitted he had considered adopting the same stance but had decided against recalling his star duo.

“We thought about asking them to come back but when we put everything in the mix we decided against it,” said Young.

“Injuries have occurred but we still thought it was beneficial for the players to play in the fixture.

“Tom is more of an issue and something we had to think long and hard about because of our injuries in the back division.

“Because we had Robin Sowden-Taylor here it was not such a problem with Martyn although it does seem ironic we have been criticised when we don’t play Robin and we get criticised when we do.

“We had made the commitments to the players and the Barbarians and we wanted to honour that.

“There is still a place in the calendar for the Baa-Baas fixtures.

“It is an international against the world champions which is live on television and it is still a great honour for the players.

“They enjoy playing for the Barbarians and it will look good on their CVs.

“And from a regional point of view it would be great to see two Blues players turning out for the Barbarians.

“The players were very professional.

“If they were allowed to play then great but if we wanted them they were more than happy about that as well.”

And Young dismissed fears Shanklin and Williams could pick up injuries while playing for the Barbarians ahead of the Blues imminent Heineken Cup double-header against Stade Francais.

“Players can get injured walking across the road or playing while training,” added Young.

The Blues boss does not believe his decision undermines the EDF Energy Cup which has attracted criticism with some sides using it as a development competition.

And the Welsh region still have an unlikely chance of qualifying for the last four if they beat Bath and Leicester lose at home to Sale.

“We picked the team that was available to us and it is not a case of resting players,” added Young.

“We have selected a side we think is capable of winning this game.

“We enjoy playing in the competition and It is great to play against the English teams.

“I am not a Magners League knocker like many people.

“But on the back of four games against English opposition in the EDF Energy Cup and Heineken Cup, I would be lying if you could not notice the difference in the physicality of these sides.

“I don’t think they are streets ahead of us in terms of playing but they are used to the physicality week in week out.”

But Young did admit the unstructured calendar was a cause for concern.

This will be the third club competition the Welsh region have played during the last three weeks, after the Magners League and the Heineken Cup and Young believes this needs to be resolved.

“It is a bit of a head scratcher and you sometimes wonder what competition you are playing in,” said Young.

“We enjoy playing in all the competitions but if they were structured better it would better for everyone.

“You dip your toe into one tournament before dipping into another the following week.”

gareth.griffiths@mediawales.co.uk