 Colin Charvis failed to win a regional contract in Wales |
Colin Charvis has played his first game for new club Tarbes after a decision to block the move was reversed at the 11th hour. The transfer was on the verge of collapse because French rugby officials refused to authorise the deal.
Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), who govern professional club rugby in France, were unconvinced that Tarbes have the finances to pay Charvis' contract.
LNR met on Friday to discuss an appeal from the club, but intended to delay their decision until a further meeting on Monday.
But French rugby president Bernard Lapasset intervened on Saturday and Charvis' transfer was given the all clear a few hours before his scheduled debut match.
"Plain sailing is never my forte really is it?" Charvis joked.
The Wales captain played the full 80 minutes against La Rochelle on Saturday, but could not prevent his new side from suffering a 20-12 defeat.
His contract with Tarbes will last until the end of the season.
MMIX
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Scrum V follows Charvis' French odyssey 
