The NSW Waratahs have released Charlie Gamble and Ryan McCauley for the final two weeks of the Vodafone Super Rugby AU regular season, as they suit up for their club side in the Shute Shield.
The Eastern Suburbs pairing will be available for selection for their side’s clash with Norths on Saturday afternoon.
The decision has been made in consultation with Rugby Australia and both Gamble and McCauley will return to the NSW Waratahs bubble – undertaking established protocols – following a final round bye, should they progress to the Finals.
In any other circumstance players outside the NSW Waratahs match day squad would move freely between their clubs and the professional environment, but under current bio-security protocols this is not possible.
Gamble and McCauley join a selection of players who were recently released for the remainder of the season including; Joe Cotton (Southern Districts), Carlo Tizzano (West Harbour), Henry Robertson (Sydney Uni), Triston Reilly (Randwick) and Angus Bell (Australian Sevens - Sydney Uni).
As with the previous release of contracted players to club rugby, NSW Waratahs coaching and high-performance staff will monitor Gamble and McCauley’s time in Shute Shield.
Rapp reiterated that a decision on additional players returning to club rugby at the completion of Super Rugby AU would be assessed based on bio-security protocols – but remains highly likely.
For more information on the Shute Shield including fixtures, ladder and news and updates click here.
