Sarries: We won't release Castaignede

Thomas Castaignede, the biggest star in French rugby, will not be released by Saracens for any future internationals unless the French Rugby Federation pay more than £50,000 in compensation and insures the player against injury.

Nigel Wray, the Sarries owner, told Standard Sport earlier this week that he was taking legal action against the Federation for non-payment of Castaignede's wages after he was injured warming up for France's home game with Australia in November.

The French federation's financial director Paul de Keele responded by stating: "Wray knew the risk when he took on a foreign player in the first place. Have you any idea what the insurance premium would be for a player like Castaignede? It would be impossible for us to calculate it. What is Castaignede being paid? You cannot expect us to foot the bill. It's just impossible."

As a result of that stance, Wray today revealed that he would not release Castaignede for any more French international matches until the money already owed is paid and adequate cover is put in place by the federation.

He said: "When Dan Luger and Kyran Bracken were injured on England duty we received more than £100,000 in compensation from the RFU's insurance policy to cover their wages.

"That is how the system works and when Thomas was injured playing for Castres, the French federation paid them compensation. However, now he is playing in England they say cover is not going to be in place and we cannot release him under those circumstances. You do not lend someone your car without knowing they are insured in case of any damage.

"The whole thing is ridiculous and you do not penalise your best player because he has sought employment in another part of Europe."