WORCESTER'S Chris Horsman has revealed his devastation after being withdrawn from Wales' squad which faced Australia last weekend.

The Warriors prop was originally named as a replacement but Wales were forced to withdraw him after talks with Premier Rugby Limited - the English clubs' umbrella organisation - failed to secure his release.

The Wallaby clash was outside the official international window, which meant clubs were not obliged to release players.

Wales did strike a deal with Worcester, which would have seen Horsman made available to his club for two weekends this month, but Premier Rugby refused to sanction the agreement. So, having picked the 28-year-old on the bench, Wales had to hurriedly remove the prop and replace him with Gavin Thomas.

It was another blow for the four-cap tight-head who has so far had a 2006 to forget, having been sidelined for much of the year with an ankle injury.

"I was absolutely gutted," said Horsman.

"The politics of it is beyond repair. As a player you are employed by your club. You want to do well for them and the next thing is you want to play for Wales.

"I've been stopped from playing rugby for various reasons, like injuries and cancer, and to be caught up in something like that, which I had no control over, was devastating.

"To be here at the start of last week and being involved in some of the build-up and then having to go back was upsetting. But it wasn't the club's fault. It was just one of those things. You are a professional and you go back to your club and do what you are paid to do."

Instead of being involved with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, Horsman suddenly fou-nd himself playing for Worcester in their 40-21 defeat at Leicester.

But now he is available for the rest of Wales' autumn internationals against the Pacific Islands this Saturday, Canada (November 17) and New Zealand (November 25).

It seems almost certain the Worcester star will be named in the starting line-up against the Islanders.

"It doesn't come any better. Three chances to play for Wales are as big a carrot as you need," added Horsman "I've got my form and my fitness back, and now I've got another challenge. The front-row boys did an excellent job at the weekend, and if I get my opportunity I've got to step up and show what I can do."