Taylor recall upsets Ruddock

Wales have appealed to the IRB following Mark Taylor's recall to the Bath squad.

Taylor has been released by coach Mike Ruddock (pictured) as Sale have activated a clause in the player's contract that appears to give the Sharks priority over country.

Sale recalled Taylor as their squad has been decimated either through international duty, suspension or injury, leaving them without 16 players for Friday's Guinness Premiership match with Leicester.

Ruddock revealed: "I spoke to Sale owner Brian Kennedy and as far as he is concerned there is a holding clause in his contract.

"He said Mark is contracted to play for him, that he is running a business and that business is Sale. I have reported it to the Welsh Rugby Union who will sort things out asap. Now the International Rugby Board are involved we will hopefully get some clarity."

Taylor had started for Wales in their recent defeat to New Zealand and was likely to be involved in Saturday's clash against the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium.

"It is disappointing it has gone this far. I hope that by involving the IRB and WRU, I can get on with preparing my team to play South Africa and hopefully Mark will be available to us next week (ahead of the Australia game) with the clarity we need," added Ruddock.

"Mark is stuck in the middle. Rather than involving ourselves in a tug of war over a player during a Test week we have taken the dignified approach and done what is best for all parties by releasing Mark back to his club for the weekend."