Andrew Hore says Wales players are playing too much rugby

Hore says Wales should follow Ireland and New Zealand's example in giving the top players a long summer break.

"We need to give the players an eight to ten week block to get that power and strength back into them," said Hore.

"Our boys have to work doubly hard because they're in a poor structure. We need to help them as much as we can."

Wales asked the regional sides not to select their international players for the first three weeks of the season, but coach Mike Ruddock was eventually forced into a compromise.

Ireland's international players, though, did not play in the Celtic League until October, and Hore believes that rest period played a crucial part in their win over South Africa last Saturday.

"Ireland have been resting their players early in the season for the past two years," Hore told BBC Wales Sport.

"Their success over South Africa was well planned."

WRU wait on Dragons

Hore has been credited with raising fitness levels in the Wales squad - especially over the past year - but the New Zealander believes there is room for improvement

He hopes that could come next season with the expected implementation of the Welsh Rugby Union's new 'rugby charter'.

The Dragons are the only side not to sign the wide-ranging agreement which, among other things, aims to guarantee Wales players get a longer pre-season recuperation period.

Hore added: "To be fair to the regions, three of the four have signed the charter and part of that is to make sure players have decent preparation time.

"So it's great the Scarlets, Ospreys and Blues have ventured down that route. We'll try to support the regions as much as they're supporting us. We really appreciate it.

"But the players have been fantastic. They've been doing extra work on their days off, but they are being forced to fit too many things in because of a poor structure."