Bath charged by Premiership Rugby for releasing Taulupe Faletau

Premiership Rugby has confirmed charges against Aviva Premiership club Bath for releasing Taulupe Faletau for Wales' final autumn international game against South Africa last weekend.

English Premiership clubs are not entitled to release their players for the games that fall outside the World Rugby international window.

With all other international games ending on 25th November, Bath were warned of a potential fine on releasing Faletau, who had negotiated a full release for international matches in his contract with the Recreation Ground outfit.

In 2013, Northampton Saints were fined £60,000 for releasing George North for the clash against Australia outside the scheduled international window and Bath may very well face a similar sanction.

"Premiership Rugby confirms that Bath Rugby have today been charged with allegedly breaching Premiership Rugby approved policies," read a Premiership Rugby statement.

"The allegation relates to the Premiership Rugby Board policy around international duty and specifically Taulupe Faletau being released outside the periods specified in World Rugby Regulation 9.

"Bath Rugby have seven days to respond to the allegation and once that time has passed Premiership Rugby will issue a further update. Premiership Rugby will make no further comment until that time."

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