Regan blocked from Baa-Baas match

Bristol have refused to release Barbarians captain Mark Regan for Saturday's match against South Africa.

The England hooker was invited to captain the Baa-Baas at Twickenham but Premier Rugby will not let English top-flight players play in the game.

And Bristol chief executive David White is prepared to take action against Regan if he does lead out the Baa-Baas.

"If he does play he'll be breaking his contract and will have to face the consequences," White told BBC Sport.

Premier Rugby, the body that runs the Guinness Premiership, can prevent players turning out in Barbarian colours as the match falls outside a designated international weekend.

And their stance could also have repercussions for Regan's England front-row colleague Andrew Sheridan.

Regan and Sale prop Sheridan have both been picked in the 22-man squad to face the world champions.

Regan is being rested for Sunday's EDF Energy Cup match against Leeds Carnegie as Bristol have no chance of reaching the semi-finals of the competition.

But despite that decision Bristol do not want to see the 35-year-old turning out at Twickenham.

"Premier Rugby have made their decision and we are supporting that," added White.

"We have not released him, he can't play and we have the jurisdiction to fine him."

Source: BBC Sport