Argentina take the hardline

News round-up: Argentina have restated their demands that their leading players be released for the Pumas' Test match against South Africa at Estadio de Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires on Saturday week.

They also threatened the Leinster and French clubs concerned that if they don't comply the players involved will be banned from playing in the Heineken European Cup both that weekend and the following weekend.

Leinster's need to have Felipe Contepomi available for their European Cup match away to Castres tomorrow week is made more acute by the absence of the injured Gordon D'Arcy, who is another two or three weeks away from returning,

The other Pumas called up by their federation include the Castres Olympique hooker and captain Mario Ledesma as well as the Stade Francais trio of Juan Martín Hernández, Agustín Pichot and Rodrigo Roncero, whom their club want for their tie at home to Ulster on Saturday week.

Despite initial objections from the Stade Francais president Max Guazzini, the Parisian club have reputedly backed down but other French clubs and Leinster have not, according to Argentinian newspaper reports.

The Argentinian Rugby Union (UAR) said in a statement that they had written to the International Rugby Board (IRB) outlining their demands.

"Given the refusal of some French clubs and Leinster of Ireland to release the players called . . . to the Pumas squad to face South Africa . . . the UAR has sent a letter to the International Rugby Board demanding the application of rule 9.4," the statement on the UAR's official website said.

Rule 9.4 states that any player made unavailable for a match with his national team is automatically suspended from playing for his club that day and for the next 10 days, the UAR added.

French league president Serge Blanco has argued that the Pumas should not be released for a match that falls outside the official November Test window, and the English club owners recently refused to release their Scottish players for a match against Australia earlier this month to celebrate the opening of the Scottish Parliament.

However, that game did not fall under regulation 9, whereas an International Rugby Board spokesperson reaffirmed that the match does come under regulation 9 and that therefore Argentina do have call on their players.

They have not, as yet, received a written complaint from the UAR but pending its arrival, the IRB would then enforce its regulations.

Meanwhile, France scrumhalf and goalkicker Jean-Baptiste Elissalde has been ruled out of Saturday's international against New Zealand with a rib injury.

"Jean-Baptiste was injured in last Saturday's match against Argentina. X-rays showed he would not be fit to play next weekend," team doctor Thierry Hermerel said yesterday.

Elissalde kicked 17 points to help France defeat Australia 27-14 in the first test of the current series at the Stade de France.

Coach Bernard Laporte did not immediately pick a replacement.

AUSTRALIA (v England): Latham; Sailor, Turinui, Giteau, Tuqiri; Flatley, Gregan (capt); Young, Paul, Baxter, Harrison, Vickerman, Smith, Waugh, Lyons. Replacements: Cannon, Dunning, Samo, Hoiles, Henjak, Mitchell, Rogers.

FRANCE (v New Zealand): Poitrenaud; Rougerie, Marsh, Liebenberg, Heymans; Michalak, AN other; Marconnet, Servat, de Villiers, Thion, Pelous (capt), Betsen, Magne, Harinordoquy.Replacements: Bruno, Milloud, Pape, Bonnaire, Peyrelongue,Jauzion, Dominici.

WALES (v Japan): R Williams; Luscombe, Henson, Shanklin, S Williams; Duncan Jones, M Davies, Jenkins, Cockbain, Thomas, Dafydd Jones, Charvis (capt), Owen, Cooper, Sweeney. Replacements: S Jones, A Jones, R Jones, Popham, M Williams, Peel, Morgan.