Wales rugby: Why are players threatening to go on strike ahead of England game?
The Welsh players' union says it wants to avoid strike action, but that players have "had enough".
Thursday 16 February 2023 15:52, UK
Welsh Rugby Union players could be forced into strike action, according to the union representing them.
So why are players threatening to strike, and what could that mean for the Wales v England game in the Six Nations?
'Players have had enough'
Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) has criticised Wales rugby bosses, saying its players "feel let down" and "have had enough" amid delays over new contracts.
It added that the delay is having a "profound effect" on players, particularly those out of contract, and is "placing unacceptable strain on mental health and overall wellbeing".
Josh Turnbull, who plays for Cardiff Rugby and has played for the national side, said players are "anxious" and that the dispute is not around how much players earn but "the fact that players don't know if they have a job in four months time".
'Finances are stretched'
Negotiations between the WRPA and the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) started in January, and so far have not led to a breakthrough.
The PRB, which is made up of representatives from the five professional entities in Welsh rugby: the WRU, Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Rugby and Dragons, said that "clubs have been paying salaries that their businesses cannot afford".
Verbal agreements have reportedly been reached for a six-year deal that would introduce a salary cap, a new approach to releasing players for international matches, and a formal framework that co-ordinates contract negotiations across all four regional sides in Wales and the nation's professional squad.
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Existing contracts will be honoured, according to the PRB, and the cap on pay will not be introduced until next year.
It said that ongoing discussions are "complex and nuanced" and that the terms "may not meet the immediate expectations of all individuals involved".
However, "rugby finances are stretched and the professional game in Wales is determined to live within its means".
The PRB said that the average salary of a Welsh rugby player under the new framework will be about £100,000 per year.
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'Players want to be taking the field'
The WRPA said it wants to avoid strike action and that "members want to be taking the field as they always have".
On Thursday, it called on the PRB to "prioritise fair agreement" and acknowledge "the position and wellbeing of the game's main assets, which are its players".
It added that a "satisfactory resolution must be found swiftly so that all parties can move forward".
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has previously been described as facing "an existential crisis" and is the subject of an inquiry into allegations of sexism, homophobia and racism.
Nigel Walker, the interim CEO of the WRU, said: "We know we are not in an ideal situation, but it is incredibly important for the whole game in Wales for us to get this next step right."
Wales will be facing England in Cardiff on 25 February, and if a resolution is not agreed by then, it could mean that any strike action would impact on the hotly-anticipated fixture.