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Baa-Baas front row hit by bans

27/11/2007

The Barbarians will be forced into late changes ahead of their clash with South Africa after Andrew Sheridan and Mark Regan were banned from playing.

The front row pair were informed by their clubs that their inclusion in the preliminary 22-man squad would constitute a breach of contract if they carried through plans to appear in Saturday's match at Twickenham.

Sale, who recently signed a new deal extension with Sheridan, described the announcement of the prop's place in the invitational side's squad as "incorrect".

However Sheridan's agent Mike Burton has insisted that his client specifically negotiated a clause that allowed him to play in such fixtures.

"The new contract he signed with the club last week contained an unconditional clause that allows him to play for the Barbarians against South Africa on Saturday," he said.

"Clearly Sale are in breach of that contract. I will be speaking to Andrew to get his views on the matter. Any decision will be his and his alone."

Earlier this month the 12 Premiership clubs made a collective announcement that their players would not be available for either side taking part in the match.

It had been expected that the Barbarians ranks would be swelled by a host of New Zealand internationals who are free from club commitments back in their home nation until after Christmas.

Bristol remain adamant that that decision still holds and that 35-year-old hooker Regan will not play any part in the fixture.

"Premier Rugby have made their decision and we are supporting that. We have not released him, he can't play and we have the jurisdiction to fine him," chief executive David White told the BBC.