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Wales have suffered another blow ahead of their showdown with Australia with lock Luke Charteris being ordered to return to France.

The former Dragons second-row last year had a deal with his club Perpignan to be available for the finale with the Wallabies, despite it falling outside the International Rugby Board’s autumn Test window.

He will line up in the Welsh second-row alongside Ospreys lock Ian Evans against Tonga on Friday night and was hoping to be around for the clash with Australia the following weekend.

But high-flying Perpignan have tough French Top 14 Championship fixtures coming up against Heineken Cup holders Toulon and Clermont Auvergne and want all their big names available for those games.

Charteris will accompany utility back James Hook, who starts at outside-half for Wales on Friday, back to the Catalan club.

It means Wales will hope Evans, who makes his comeback following an Achilles injury, comes through unscathed to put himself forward for a place in the match-day squad to face Australia a week on Saturday.

They had already lost versatile prop forward Paul James after Premiership Rugby Limited, the body which represents England’s Aviva clubs, put its foot down over plans by Bath to release him as part of a deal with the WRU.

PRL has a policy with its clubs of not releasing any players outside of the international window.

“It’s unfortunate in this example because there was an agreement,” said Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had to revert to the IRB laws.

“We are glad to have Paul with us this week.”

And former Wales, Lions and Scarlets hooker McBryde had a strong message for players like Evans, who is poised to join the exodus of Wales stars to France after reputedly signing a three-year deal with Toulon.

“It’s worth reiterating about the importance of having full release for any player who does go outside Wales to play,” he said.

“It has huge implications for their opportunities at international level.”