Dragons coach Paul Turner alongside Wales coach Warren Gatland

The Welsh Rugby Union is to write to the Dragons after the region's coach Paul Turner criticised Wales bosses over squad fitness tests.

Turner had blasted the Wales camp claiming his star players had been put through tough conditioning checks.

But the WRU responded saying Dan Lydiate was already injured and did not take part in any Six Nations testing.

"It's a disgrace, especially as we're a region with not great resources," Turner had said.

Ospreys coach Scott Johnson also complained the testing caused disarray.

But Welsh rugby chiefs say Lydiate was one of five Dragons players invited to the session, the others being number eight Toby Faletau, Will Harries, Aled Brew and Luke Charteris .

Faletau was the only player to take part in any tests, lasting just over two minutes according to a WRU spokesman.

"Whilst both Dan and Toby were invited to the WRU national centre of excellence at the Vale of Glamorgan Resort for testing, Dan was medically screened and declared unfit to take any part," the spokesman said.

"Toby completed one test from the five involved, but this was a solely anaerobic test, lasting just 125 seconds, including running 450 metres.

"There should be no suggestion this test should in anyway damage the preparations of a professional athlete so far out from his next match.

"Fellow Dragons players Will Harries, Aled Brew and Luke Charteris were all also invited to the testing session and they each joined Dan in sitting out all of the tests."

A subsequent statement from the Union said: "The Welsh Rugby Union will raise the issue of the inaccurate comments and the debate about the screening day through the management board of the WRU and the four Regional organisations.

"The WRU Wales team management will continue to arrange and host screening days and will continue to liaise with the relevant personnel at the four Regional organisations and other club teams when arranging screening days.

"The WRU is formally writing to the Newport Gwent Dragons management regarding this issue."

Turner was angry because the Wales checks came in the middle of a five-day turnaround for his Dragons between their New Year's Day defeat at the Scarlets and their Thursday clash with Connacht.

Turner claimed he specifically asked the WRU for injury-plagued Lydiate and the impressive 20-year-old Faletau to be left out this week.

"Our two players have been tested and one of them has got injured," Turner told the South Wales Argus newspaper.

"Dan went down there with a couple of knocks (shoulder and knee problems) but he's been strength tested and come back unfit.

"They had him in there and though his neck wasn't right they've messed around with it and made it worse, when we distinctly said our players should not be tested this week.

Johnson's Ospreys squad boast the largest number of Wales stars of any club, including captain Alun Wyn Jones.

"The testing in this period has thrown our planning into disarray a little bit," said Johnson, Wales caretaker coach in 2006.

Wales' four regions and those English clubs with Welsh players were notified in December of the WRU's intent to test almost 50 possible call-ups by coach Warren Gatland ahead of the RBS Six Nations championship.

Ospreys coach Scott Johnson was caretaker Wales coach in 2006

Players, including returning exiled rugby star Gavin Henson, took part in Wales' conditioning assessments on Monday under the guidance of Welsh rugby's new head strength and conditioning coach Adam Beard at their Vale of Glamorgan base.

Johnson was frustrated because he wanted his Ospreys to gain valuable rest during a hectic period of three games in 11 days - ending in Friday's visit to Leinster.

Ospreys stars Shane Williams and Lee Byrne would have missed the Wales testing because of injury.

But the Ospreys squad still includes Wales stars such as Ryan Jones, Adam Jones, Jonathan Thomas, James Hook and Mike Phillips.

Johnson is to rotate his team for Friday's Magners League showdown as the reigning champions travel to Ireland to play the team they defeated in last season's Grand Final.

"Thrown into the mix was the testing of the WRU which affects us," Johnson said.

"We had a plan but that plan has been thrown away a little bit because of obligations there and a heavier workload with a short turnaround with the other games.

"I can't speak on behalf of others but if they deem it necessary, we are a really big country geographically so it is very difficult to get around everyone all around and test them. That was sarcasm.

"It is not perfect but there's no use crying about it - we'll just get over it."

The Dragons have said they will not respond until they receive the letter from the WRU.

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