Canada's rugby players are threatening to strike unless international coach Dave Clark is reinstated, a spokesman for the players said last night.
A statement by players representative Mike Holmes said Canada's international squad would declare themselves unavailable for selection unless Clark was given back his job.
The players attacked Canadian rugby's governing body, Rugby Canada, saying director-general Graham Baldwin was "indifferent to the wishes of the players, the respect of the players for Mr Clark and the upcoming performance of the team".
Popular Australian coach Clark had his contract terminated by Rugby Canada on August 1st, with the body saying they wanted a new coach who would "assist us in reaching our goals".
Rugby Canada said it would appoint an interim coach for the three autumn internationals against Australia, Scotland and Ireland.
But last week the national team players met and agreed to demand Clark's reinstatement. The three autumn matches would be boycotted otherwise.
"We have a match against the world champions Australia on October 27th in Vancouver and a tour of Scotland and Ireland in November," Canada skipper Pat Dunkley said. "We just don't need this kind of disruption to hinder our preparation".
Last Friday, Rugby Canada said they would not back down from the decision to axe Clark. "We have the autority and right to make it," a spokesman said.
AFP