The Welsh Rugby Union are embroiled in a row with national team captain Colin Charvis which has prompted his refusal to conduct media interviews.

It means that unless he can be persuaded otherwise, the recently-signed Newcastle player will not appear at the post-match press conference following Saturday's clash between Wales and Argentina at Tucuman or at subsequent Tests in Buenos Aires and against South Africa in Pretoria on June 26.

Charvis' absence from midweek media commitments was understandable as all attention was focused on veteran second-row forward Gareth Llewellyn, who makes his 88th Wales appearance.

The player's latest dispute with the WRU stems back to his departure from French second division club Tarbes.

That contract was ended a month early so Charvis could join Wales' pre-tour training camp.

But the WRU have so far refused the 2001 British Lion's requests for compensation for his month's lost club wages and other issues have since prompted Charvis to refuse to conduct any Wales-related interviews.

Captaincy has meant an annual £10,000 bonus for past incumbents. But following a WRU review, each player in the squad receives £1,000 for meeting media duties.

That has prompted Charvis to take his stance in the belief that the added commitments that go with the captaincy warrant extra pay.

Charvis has referred the media to WRU general manager Steve Lewis, whose relationship with the players generally is very frosty.

Charvis' Swansea-based agent, Peter Underhill, said, "I can confirm that the Wales players are being paid £1,000 over and above their contracts to meet media commitments.

"That was the deal as told to me by the Wales management."