NORTHAMPTON coach Ian McGeeehan has accused the Irish Rugby Football Union of being "confrontational" as the club v country controversy reared once more.

Bristol, Saracens and Northampton had asked the IRFU to allow their Irish players to stay in England until after today's league games before joining the Irish squad for Tuesday's Test against Western Samoa.

Northampton have lost centre Jonathan Bell and hooker Allen Clarke to the Irish, and McGeeehan said: "They (the IRFU) said they were not trying to be confrontational.

"We hadn't said we would not release the players. It is Ireland who have been confrontational with us all the time". They have not given anything to the clubs.

"Reasonable men give and take it seems all they have done is take and we have given. It is sad really."

The Ireland manager and chairman of selectors, Pat Whelan, refused to be drawn into the controversy.

"If that is his opinion, I suppose he is entitled to it," said Whelan.