The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has hit back at Newport Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner by revealing that flank Dan Lydiate was already injured and did not take part in any testing on Monday.
Turner had pulled no punches in his criticism of the national team management, claiming that they had caused Lydiate's injury which has forced him out of the Magners League clash with Connacht.
Turner went on to explain that Lydiate had been forced to undergo demanding physical tests despite his specific request that he be rested due to the short five-day turnaround between Magners League fixtures for the Dragons.
"It's a disgrace, especially as we're a region with not great resources," Turner had said.
Welsh rugby bosses say Lydiate was one of five Dragons players invited to take part in the session, the others being Toby Faletau, Will Harries, Aled Brew and Luke Charteris.
However the 20-year-old Faletau was apparently the only player to take part in any tests, which lasted just over two minutes according to the WRU.
"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.
"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," the WRU told the BBC.
This would seem to directly contradict statements made by Turner earlier in the week in an interview with the South Wales Argus.
The Dragons boss had said: "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."
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