The Welsh Rugby Players' Association are set to meet with players and officials ahead of Wales' Six Nations clash with England on 25 February; a new financial agreement between the regions of Cardiff, Ospreys Dragons, and Scarlets and the Welsh Rugby Union is yet to be signed
Wednesday 15 February 2023 22:30, UK
Wales' professional players could consider strike action amid a new contracts freeze in Welsh rugby.
It is understood a meeting will shortly take place between Welsh Rugby Players' Association officials and players prior to Wales hosting England in the Six Nations Championship on Saturday 25 February, and it is believed possible strike action could be discussed.
The situation has been magnified due to recruitment being put on hold for Wales' four professional regions of Cardiff, Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets.
A new financial agreement between the regions and the Welsh Rugby Union has yet to be confirmed in writing, sparking concern that many players whose existing contracts expire at the end of this season might head away from Wales.
It has generated a huge sense of uncertainty for players and their families, and a player exodus from Wales cannot be discounted with wages set to go down, with the highest basic wage now set to be £280,000, a huge drop from the £400,000 some players currently earn.
Wales lock Will Rowlands is set to join French club Racing 92 next season, with current selection policy meaning he would not be available for Wales' World Cup squad in France later this year.
Wales' 60-cap rule, which was established in 2017, sees players who subsequently signed contracts to ply their trade outside Wales deemed ineligible for Test selection unless they have won 60 caps or more.
That would make Rowlands, who currently has 23 caps to his name, unavailable unless the rule is changed or he receives special dispensation from the Welsh game's Professional Rugby Board (PRB).
A number of accounts by unnamed players on the lack of a new funding deal were reported by the Daily Mail on Tuesday.
One player, described as a Six Nations squad member, said: "I can't believe I'm five months away from the end of my contract and eight months away from the World Cup and my future isn't certain yet.
"I can't apply for a mortgage and I'm on antidepressants. I'm also one big injury away from not having a job in July, yet I'm starting for Wales every week and the WRU is making tens of millions from international matches."
The WRU and WRPA for comment have been contacted by the PA news agency for comment.
Negotiations on the future of the professional game in Wales are handled by the Professional Rugby Board, which comprises representatives from each of the regions, acting WRU chief executive Nigel Walker, WRU finance director Tim Moss and two independent members, including chair Malcolm Wall.
Walker met with senior members of the Wales squad on Wednesday afternoon to "further clarify the current position", the PRB said.
The new agreement "offers a complete funding package to the professional game in Wales", according to Wall, but "it does come with financial limitations which will directly affect salary negotiations".
Wall added: "The cold facts are that the WRU and clubs have been paying salaries that their businesses cannot afford, so the new agreement establishes a new framework for contract negotiations.
"There is a stipulation that all current contracts will be honoured, but these businesses must return to a sustainable footing in order for the success we all crave to follow.
"The average salary of a Welsh professional rugby player under the new framework will be around £100k-per-year.
"We are confident that our salary packages are in line with the UK market. The PRB accepts that some better funded English and French clubs are paying more, but this is where we must set the mark of sustainability in Wales."
Sky Sports News reporter, James Cole
"These are turbulent times at the Welsh Rugby Union, with this latest threat of players' strikes following the misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia scandal which saw chief executive Steve Phillips resign.
"Given the financial landscape in Britain right now, onlookers may hold little sympathy towards professional sportsmen whose contracts are worth up to £400,000 per year.
"But uncertainty over one's livelihood, whatever the profession, is a serious matter; highlighted by the revelation this week that one member of the Wales squad is taking antidepressants amid concerns over his future.
"While strike action would be a last resort, the fact players are even considering it shows the level of concern among professionals in Wales.
"The source of the uncertainty is the fact that the WRU and four regions are still to rubberstamp a new funding deal. The regions can't begin contract talks with players until their budgets have been agreed.
"At the start of the month the PRB (professional rugby board) said negotiations were at an "advanced stage" with verbal agreement reached on a new six-year deal.
"But that deal will see salaries reduce, with the highest basic wage falling from £400k to £280k."
