Wales find time for World Cup rest period

The players in Wales' World Cup squad will not be available to the new regional sides until after the competition in Australia is over, it was announced yesterday.

The national coach, Steve Hansen, confirmed the plans which include detailed arrangements for a rest period after the World Cup, depending on how often each player takes the field Down Under. With the competition running from 11 October until 22 November, that could mean some players would not return until just before Christmas if Wales enjoy reasonable success.

"All parties have agreed on a policy which we believe has the players' best interests at heart," Hansen said. "We have all agreed that the 30 squad members will not be available at regional level prior to the World Cup and we all believe that this is in the best interests of both the players and all teams.

"We have also reached agreement on players' re-entry into domestic competition after the tournament, the timing of which will be dependent on how many games each player has been involved in.

"There will be a maximum of a three-week period of rest and a minimum of one-week for each member of the squad dependent on the workload they have taken on in Australia."

Bath have confirmed that the fly-half Chris Malone is expected to join Bristol Shoguns on loan for the first half of next season.

The former Australian Under-21 No 10 made a total of 14 appearances in the Premiership last season, scoring 58 points, but is likely to find first-team opportunities limited by the return to fitness of Olly Barkley and Mike Catt.

Already familiar with First Division rugby, Malone was a stand-out performer for Exeter Chiefs during his stint with the club in the 2001-2002 season, scoring 311 points in 28 appearances for the Devon side and being named as their player of the season before signing for Bath.