A Welsh rugby player sacked by his club for going to Bermuda with Shane Williams could be about to ruin their season, Richard Carter was dismissed for opting to take part in a veterans’ tournament the World Rugby Classic.
The Principality Premiership's record try scorer is facing a title shoot-out with the club that controversially sacked him six months ago when Merthyr travel to Aberavon this weekend.
Richard Carter scored 100 touchdowns for the Wizards, and 118 in all.
But after making his 300th appearance for the club last November against Cross Keys, he was dismissed by Aberavon for opting to take part in a veterans’ tournament in Bermuda alongside Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams without their permission.
Now the utility back, who joined Merthyr on his return from Bermuda, is all set to be part of the Ironmen's side that will travel to the Talbot Athletic Ground this Sunday (1530) in the Premiership Tier One final.
Carter has already made his mark with big spending Merthyr having bagged seven tries in 13 outings this season and helped set up the opening try for Ed Siggery in their emphatic semi-final victory over RGC 1404 at the Wern.
It booked a trip to Port Talbot for the final this weekend and to a ground where Carter cut cult figure status before his controversial dismissal in November.
Aberavon chairman Andrew John, said of Carter's dismissal at the time they can not accept a salaried player ignoring the decision of the coaches, who were against him going to Bermuda because of Premiership fixture commitments.
“Richard asked if he could travel to Bermuda for the Classic Lions week which would mean him missing two league games and in all probability a third by the missing training on his return," he said.
“If this trip was an official representative tour he would have gone with our blessing, but quite simply it’s not.
“While we all really regret losing a player of Richard’s ability and experience especially as he’s been in great form this season as a club we cannot accept a salaried player deciding off his own bat to ignore the decision of his coaches and going off on a trip that he can venture on when he’s finished his career as a semi pro player.
Carter, who can cover wing and full-back, made his Aberavon debut in October 2004 and has spent the bulk of his career with the club, while also having spells with Neath and Carmarthen Quins.
This season, he made seven appearances for the Wizards before his departure.
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