Wales prop Chris Horsman impressed against Australia in 2005

Because Saturday's match falls outside the official International Rugby Board Test window, club Worcester were not obliged to release the player.

Horsman had been named on the bench for the match in Cardiff, but Wales will now send for a tight-head replacement.

"It is disappointing. We were expecting Chris to play. It is not what you want," said Wales coach Gareth Jenkins.

Interview: Wales coach Gareth Jenkins

England play New Zealand on Sunday, but were only able to have their players available after paying compensation.

The Rugby Football Union agreed a package with the English clubs' umbrella organisation, Premier Rugby Limited, thought to be more than �45,000 per man.

It simply seems that in this case there was nothing we could do to resolve the issue in the best interests of rugby WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis

Worcester are sympathetic to Wales' needs and the Warriors were thought to be willing to release Horsman in return for his club availability in mid-November.

But the Welsh Rugby Union and the Warriors have been unable to find a compromise with Premier Rugby that suited all parties.

"Premier Rugby wrote to the WRU at the beginning of August to confirm that Premier Rugby could not release for the Australia match as it fell outside the IRB window," said Premier Rugby in a statement.

"There is a full round of Guinness Premiership matches this weekend.

"The clubs understand the purpose of the IRB window is to find the right balance between the interests of all stakeholders in the world game, including club and country."

The WRU said every attempt was made to reach an agreement with Premier Rugby for Horsman's release.

"This is a difficult issue for us, but we will endeavour to keep lines of communication open," said WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis.

"We have a very good relationship with our regions and we have built up a good rapport with the English clubs which we hope will continue.

"It simply seems that in this case there was nothing we could do to resolve the issue in the best interests of rugby."

Wales have opted to put Scarlets back-row Gavin Thomas on the bench instead of calling up another prop.

Wales play the Pacific Islands and Canada on official IRB dates, but Horsman is unlikely to be needed for both match squads as Jenkins tests his strength in depth.