Are all Test nations created equally?

Friday 13 November 2009
Published By: Ben Welch
International Rugby > Fiji

Clubs have been accused of lying over the fitness of players from island nations.

Fiji coach Glen Ella was quoted by the BBC as saying he might end up having to take to the field himself, such is the extent of the injury problems facing his side.

He suggested that there is a clear bias against the smaller countries, with clubs refusing to provide players over fitness concerns, despite the individuals themselves believing they are fine.

"Test rugby nations should be treated equally and you can see that the lower level countries are not with the attitude of the clubs to getting players released," Ella argued.

Fiji face Scotland tomorrow, with six British-based players in the starting side, but the coach warned that he has just 11 fit backs and three of them are half-backs - prompting the wry suggestion that the 50-year-old could be pulling on a shirt himself before the tour is out.