Wales coach Mike Ruddock says Toulouse have no chance of stopping Gareth Thomas playing against South Africa. The French club told BBC Sport that - as the 6 November tie was a late addition to the international calendar - they had been given insufficient notice.
"It's a non-story as far as I'm concerned," Ruddock told BBC Sport.
"It's an International Rugby Board sanctioned game and under their regulations Gareth must be released, Toulouse have had the date for months."
 |  Young players should realise that if they go to France their clubs will be reluctant to let them play for Wales |
The argument comes just a day after Thomas was named as the new Wales captain in place of Colin Charvis. Ruddock said he did not believe that the row showed he would have problems in choosing a skipper who is playing his club rugby in France.
"I think it's a realisation on Toulouse's part that they haven't got the control over the player that they would like," said Ruddock.
"It is a pointer to young players who should realise that if they go to France their clubs will be reluctant to let them play for Wales.
"That might mean the Welsh regions will get stronger in years to come."
The IRB have refused to comment on the case as they have not been approached by any of the parties involved, but they say it would be governed by regulation nine which states that if a country wants a player and he is fit he has to turn up.
The Springbok game was arranged in April and is sure to be a money spinner for the Welsh Rugby Union. Toulouse are likely to argue that the additional international fixture will have an adverse effect on their business, and if the IRB were to rule against them they could take the matter to the civil courts.
Toulouse face a key French league clash with Stade Francais on the South Africa weekend, whilst Wales' other French-based players, Stephen Jones and Gareth Llewellyn, also have important games.
Jones' Clermont Auvergne (formerly Montferrand) side are due to play at Brive, with Llewellyn's Narbonne at Montpellier.
MMIX
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