WYCOMBE RFC have questioned the selection of the Bucks County team, claiming two of the county’s leading clubs are being ignored.

However, Bucks say they have invited players from Marlow and Wycombe to play and been ignored.

Wycombe captain Craig Murray was called up for a county game against Middlesex in January.

Bucks selector Jonathan Taylor says the player texted him in the morning to say he’d be there for the match but simply didn’t turn up.

Murray says he was stuck at work, but did text Taylor to say he wouldn’t make the match.

Murray said: “At the moment there aren’t many Bucks-based players in the Bucks squad.

“I think two Wycombe players were asked. That’s not a lot. I think it is a little bit of an issue, but I don’t want to make a mountain out of molehill.”

As it stands, Jack Ryder is the only player from either club involved at county level.

Wycombe director of rugby Mike Cussell said: “I captained the county for three years in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when I was playing for Wycombe.

“Up until a few years ago there were always lots of Wycombe and Marlow players involved. The side was basically made up of Bucks-based players. Now they’re being picked from Chinnor and Maidenhead.

“I think most of our pack should be in the county team, and two or three of our backs certainly in the squad.”

However, Taylor refutes the claims that he is ignoring Marlow and Wycombe. He argues that he has asked for feedback from Marlow coaches John Hill and Chris Sheasby as well as Wycombe pair Cussell and Paul Gastor.

He said: “I don’t see where Mike is coming from. I’d like players from Wycombe and Marlow to be involved. All they have to do is come and play.”

Taylor says that Ryder’s club team-mate Dan Gillespie did not respond to an invite to play, like Murray, while James Mawby replied to say he was unavailable.

Taylor said: “We have players from Olney, Bletchley, Milton Keynes who will bite your hand off to play. I’ve got a squad of 39 players who want to play. You can only send out so many texts and emails.”

A statement from Bucks County RFU said: "Bucks operate a positive and inclusive selection policy. Players are approached having either been spotted or recommended by their clubs.

Eligibility to represent the county has never been solely restricted to currently playing at a club in Bucks. A number of players begin their rugby at Bucks clubs representing the county at youth levels, but chose to play their senior rugby at clubs at a higher level than level 6 or 7.

Wycombe and Marlow are no different. The coaches from both clubs have been spoken to and recommended players and have been told to pass their details on. We are pleased that Mike wishes to continue supporting the county and look forward to his club’s new recommendations.’