Wales Professional Rugby Board ‘unreservedly apologize’ for ‘stress’ caused by contract dispute | Rugby Union News

The Welsh Rugby Players’ Association said “players have had enough” amid continued uncertainty caused by the freeze on Welsh rugby’s professional contracts; strike remains a possibility ahead of Wales’ clash with England in the Six Nations on Saturday

Professional Rugby Board chairman Malcom Wall has unreservedly apologized to the Welsh players for the “real stress and discomfort” caused by the current contract dispute.

A new six-year financial agreement between the Welsh Rugby Union and the four professional regions of Wales – Dragons, Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets – has yet to be signed in writing after months of discussion.

Regions are prepared for financial cuts, but no playing budget has been finalized for next season, so no contract can be offered in writing.

The situation has led to a strike threat from Wales players, jeopardizing the upcoming Guinness Six Nations clash against England.

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Wales head coach Warren Gatland has said he does not support his players’ striking but insists he understands why if they do.

Speaking on the from the BBC Melee V program, Wall said, “We’ve been working on a long-term, secure and sustainable funding model for far too long.

“I absolutely recognize that the fact that we have not put this funding model in place has an impact on the ability to offer contracts and I unreservedly apologize on behalf of PRB for the stress and the real discomfort that the players obviously feel.

“We will do our utmost to complete this, but it is complex. We are trying to put together a six-year framework which will total over £315m.

“It has been very complex, we are very close to it. We have detailed documentation, now we have to go through the pages that turn and make sure that it is suitable for everyone.

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Welsh rugby players are considering a strike ahead of hosting England at the Six Nations in Cardiff.

“That’s no apology because I’m really upset and I feel very personally that I haven’t done what I should have done as president of PRB to get us to where we want to be with this deal. long-term financing and therefore the ability to eliminate the uncertainty of people who do not have a contract.

“But we’re trying to build something that’s safe and durable for a while.”

It is understood players want a place at PRB board meetings and the scrapping of the controversial 60-cap rule, under which a player plying his trade outside the country cannot be picked for the Country of Wales unless he has made at least that many Test appearances.

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Athletic’s David Ornstein and ESPN’s Mark Ogden discuss reports that Wales’ Six Nations clash with England could be in doubt due to a possible strike.

They are also concerned about contracts with fixed-variable elements representing 20% ​​of salaries.

Wall said Gareth Lewis of the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association (WRPA) had been asked to be an “observer and contributor” to the PRB and an announcement on the 60-cap rule was due to be announced in the coming days at the following an expedited review. .

He added: “In terms of fixed and variable, we still think that’s the right way to go and we’re arranging with the WRPA this week to hopefully hold an assembly public (meeting), or more than one, with players in order to better explain the reasoning behind this.”