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

The Welsh Rugby Players’ Association says “the players have had enough” amid the uncertainty caused by the Welsh rugby professional contract freeze; Strike action remains a possibility ahead of Wales’ clash with England in the Six Nations on Saturday

Wales’ professional rugby union body has “unconditionally apologized” for a contract dispute that led to threats of strike from players.

Chair of the Professional Rugby Board Malcom Wall has apologized profusely to Welsh players for the “stress and inconvenience” caused by the current contract dispute.

A new six-year financial agreement between the Welsh Rugby Union and Wales’ four professional areas – Dragons, Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets – has not been signed off in writing after months of discussions.

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

The situation led to threats of strike action by Wales players, impacting the upcoming Guinness Six Nations match against England.

Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player

Wales head coach Warren Gatland said he did not support his striking players but insisted he understood why.

Speak in The BBC Scrum v program, Wall said: “We have been working on a secure and sustainable funding model for the long term.

“I am fully aware that we have not got a funding model in place which has had an impact on our ability to award contracts and I sincerely apologize on behalf of PRB for the stress and discomfort the players have obviously felt.

“We’re going to push hard to get this done, but it’s complicated. We’re trying to put together a six-year framework of over £315m.

“It’s already very complicated, we’re very close. We have a long documentation, now we have to go through the pages and make sure it’s suitable for everyone’s purposes.

Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player

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

“It’s not an excuse because I’m really tired and I feel really bad that I didn’t do what I had to do as chairman of the PRB to bring us to where we want to be with this long-term funding agreement and therefore the ability to remove the uncertainty from people who don’t have a contract .

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

It is understood that the players want a seat at the PRB board meeting and the removal of the controversial 60-cap rule, where players who play abroad cannot be selected for Wales unless they have made at least the number of Test appearances.

Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player

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

They are also concerned about contracts that have a fixed variable element of 20 percent of salary.

Wall said Gareth Lewis of the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association (WRPA) had been invited to be an “observer and contributor” to the PRB and an announcement on the 60-cap rule would be made in the next few days following a quick review. .

He added: “With fixed and variable, we still believe that this is the right way forward and we are organizing with the WRPA this week to hopefully hold a town hall (meeting), or more than one, with the players in order to explain the reasons that advisable.”