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The Ospreys have called on World Rugby to introduce a specific international Test window in the northern hemisphere as the game reaches a “tipping point” at the turn of the year.

And Liberty chief Andrew Hore has reiterated his belief the Pro12 region need greater financial support for providing such large numbers of players to Wales both at senior and age-grade level.

Hore argues the Ospreys are at a disadvantage because large numbers of their squad spend so long away with the national team.

He says the Swansea-based side are being punished rather than rewarded for supporting Welsh success and wants some form of compensation for providing Warren Gatland with such a large percentage of his current squad.

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Hore believes that part of the problem is the clash between the club and international game and thinks a big rethink is in order for the game to move forward into the future.

“The key thing we're trying to say is reward what you value,” he told the region's TV channel.

“At the moment there are clubs, regions and provinces who are contributing the most and often they are the ones suffering the most because they're supporting the international game.

“Rugby is not grasping the issues and as a result the clubs who want to be actively involved with the unions are actually the ones penalised.

“If we want to compete domestically there needs to be a rapid rethink.”

Video: Andrew Hore's argument in full

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The Ospreys could lose up to 12 players to Wales duty for the upcoming Six Nations, significantly hindering their chances of domestic success.

The likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar, Justin Tipuric and the currently injured Rhys Webb – to name but a few – are regulars for their country leaving Steve Tandy's men short of crucial talent just when it matters most.

It's a situation which doesn't happen in the southern hemisphere where Super Rugby takes place at a different time to international action for New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

“I would say to World Rugby, who I think are putting their head in the sand on this issue, that at the moment it's only really England and France who are taking off at club level,” Hore added.

“When I talked to Steve Hansen when he was over for the World Cup he was very clear on the number of weeks an international window would apply for. It's easily workable."

(Image: Mirrorpix)

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He continued: “I also think the club game has to have a look at itself. Between the two I think there needs to be some form of cutback.

“You don't have those same issues in the southern hemisphere because they've thought out their international windows.

“There is a little bit of overlap at the moment but I think the Celtic nations and the Italians are more closely aligned to the southern hemisphere.

“Maybe it's time we formed an alliance with them which is far stronger and looks at a calendar which is good for the game and not necessarily good for one broadcaster for instance.

“From there we can develop something like rugby league. They have a good balance between the international game where they've seen growth and a really strong club game.

“There's growth there because they've grappled with these issues.”

Hore has previously called for the Welsh regions to be allowed more foreign players to close the gap on their rivals from foreign countries.

The four sides this side of the Severn Bridge have struggled to impress in cross-border competition since the game turned professional.

The Ospreys, though, have had success having claimed four domestic titles since 2005.

“There's a real disconnect with the competitions we're playing in and it also links into a disconnect about the global season structure,” Hore added.

“We still want to develop players but it's hard to develop young players when they're surrounded by young players.

“We want to ensure we have a spine of talent who are of a high quality so we can compete and make the top six and stay in Europe.

“We feel the national bodies need to get together and look at this global season otherwise they're going to very much kill the entities which produce the players and coaches they need to develop.

“There's a massive tipping point at the moment where the competitions we're in don't have the same revenue as others.

“We don't want the same money as the French and the English because there are more factors to success than just cash."

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Hore concluded: “It made me laugh when I picked up the newspaper and it said we should be like Connacht. Well, let's be like Connacht shall we?

“A significant amount of time, resource and energy is going into that and on top of that they contribute the least to the Irish national cause.

“If the papers want us to be like Connacht then I don't think that's going to be particularly satisfactory when it comes to the Welsh national cause moving forwards.”