WASPS were left seething this weekend when England urged them to withdraw one of their star players a day before Sunday’s crucial Guinness Premiership match with Harlequins.
Paul Sackey was declared fit to start by Wasps, but they were over-ruled by England doctors at the 11th hour as the club-versus-country row flared up again.
Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan said: “We’ll support England to the Nth degree, that’s what we’re about.
“But we just look for a bit of support as well.
“At the moment we’re being screwed off the field and we’re getting screwed with what we can put on it at times.”
In line with Elite Squad regulations, Sackey was among a host of England players rested for Wasps’ shambolic trip to Sale on Boxing Day.
But he was all set to return for Quins until England asked him to undergo a fitness test on Saturday morning, and even though his results were no worse than before the November Test against South Africa, in which he played, England declared him unfit to play.
McGeechan said: “It was too close to the game for us to do anything about it, and we didn’t want to upset things on behalf of the player.
“But I wasn’t happy with the way it was done and we’ll be following up the process.”
Ironically, Quins were allowed to pick Ugo Monye and Nick Easter, who played all four autumn Tests for England. Both players were subsequently injured against Wasps.
McGeechan said: “I don’t understand how some players can play four internationals and be available for three [Premiership] games, and other players can play two internationals and have to rest one [Premiership] game.
“They tell me it makes a difference if you’re officially in the EPS squad, but to me that’s not player-welfare. If this is such a big thing, let’s do it right. Let’s have the same playing field because if you live by contracts you lose the whole essence of what you’re trying to do.
“You don’t go very far sticking to regulations all the time. There has to be flexibility on both sides.”
Meanwhile, Wasps’ 24-18 win at a sell-out Adams Park was marred by a knee injury to England flanker Tom Rees, right.
