Rugby chiefs undermining us, says angry Ian McGeechan

Ian McGeechan today claimed the Guinness Premiership has been "totally undermined and devalued" by English rugby chiefs.

London Wasps, the defending champions, are supplying players to England, Ireland and the Pacific Islanders over the next month while the Premiership continues to be played.

However, McGeechan, the club's director of rugby, believes the November international window should have been used for EDF Energy Cup matches which complete their pool stage this weekend.

Wasps are home to Newport Gwent Dragons on Sunday with Josh Lewsey and Tim Payne released from the England training camp but key players Danny Cipriani, James Haskell, Simon Shaw, Riki Flutey, Tom Palmer, Paul Sackey and Tom Rees are unavailable for the next five weeks. During that period Wasps will face Premiership matches against Harlequins, Sale and Newcastle.

As some clubs already rest their key players during EDF Cup fixtures, McGeechan thinks it would make more sense to play those games during international weeks.

McGeechan said: "There will be 12 Premiership fixtures affected by the two international release periods in November and then the Six Nations. It's a ridiculous situation that totally undermines and devalues the competition.