Wales contract freeze sparks player strike threat ahead of England Six Nations fixture in Cardiff | Rugby Union News

The Welsh Rugby Players’ Association will meet with players and officials ahead of Wales’ Six Nations match with England on February 25; A new financial agreement between the Cardiff area, Ospreys Dragons, and Scarlets and the Welsh Rugby Union has yet to be signed

Wales’ professional players could consider strike action amid a new contract freeze in Welsh rugby.

It is understood that a meeting will take place between Welsh Rugby Players’ Association officials and players before Wales host England in the Guinness Six Nations Championship on Saturday February 25, and it is believed strike action could be discussed.

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that recruitment is on hold for the four professional areas of Wales, Cardiff, Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets.

A new financial agreement between the region and the Welsh Rugby Union has yet to be confirmed in writing, prompting concerns that many players whose contracts expire at the end of the season may leave Wales.

This has led to uncertainty for players and their families, and the exodus of players from Wales has not been mitigated by falling wages, with the top basic wage now set at £280,000, a huge drop from some £400,000. players now get it.

Wales lock Will Rowlands will join French club Racing 92 next season, with the current selection policy meaning he will not be available for Wales’ World Cup squad in France later this year.

Wales’ Will Rowlands will not be eligible for selection for this year’s World Cup unless the rules are changed due to his move to Racing 92.

Wales’ 60-cap rule, introduced in 2017, sees players who subsequently sign a contract 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 rules are changed or he receives a special dispensation from the Welsh game’s Professional Rugby Board.

Several accounts by unnamed players about the lack of a new funding deal were reported by the Daily Mail on Tuesday.

One of the players, pictured as a member of the Six Nations squad, said: “I can’t believe I’m five months out of my contract and eight months away from the World Cup and my future is uncertain.

“I can’t apply for a mortgage and I’m on anti-depressants. I also had a big injury and was out of work in July, but I start for Wales every week and the WRU make tens of millions from internationals.”

The WRU and WRPA for comment have been contacted by the PA news agency for comment.