Wales have delayed their squad announcement for the Six Nations fixture with England on Saturday in Cardiff (kick-off 4.45pm); However, strike action remains a possibility due to an ongoing dispute over a financial agreement with the Welsh Rugby Board
Tuesday 21 February 2023 13:48, UK
Wales have delayed announcing their squad for Saturday's Six Nations match with England due to uncertainty of player involvement.
A new six-year financial agreement between the Welsh Rugby Union and Wales' four professional regions - Dragons, Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets - has not yet been signed off in writing after months of discussion, sparking concern that many players whose existing contracts expire at the end of this season might head away from Wales.
The situation has led to a threat of strike action by Wales players, leaving the upcoming Guinness Six Nations match against England in jeopardy.
Welsh players have been involved in a bitter feud with the Professional Rugby Board and want a review of a proposal that would see 80% of players' wages guaranteed, with 20% via bonuses, and representation from the Welsh Rugby Players' Association on the PRB, which runs the professional game in Wales.
They are also seeking an end to the 60-cap rule that says only players who have reached that threshold can play for the national team if they move to a club abroad. A deadline of Wednesday has been set for their demands to be met.
After postponing his squad announcement, Warren Gatland admitted he "wasn't aware" of the issues being faced at Welsh Rugby when he took the job and "wished he'd have known".
"I was not aware of any of the issues at all, no," said Gatland.
"I think it just came to a head because everyone needs to take some responsibility and I think people are well aware that these negotiations and discussions have been going on for too long.
"I think the players were given assurances on a number of occasions that it would be sorted out and the unfortunate situation that they haven't been able to come to an agreement in terms of the PRB and the Union and the region.
"It finally came to a head so I think we have all been asking for things to get sorted.
"I wasn't aware of any of the issues going on when I took the job.
"I wish I would have known a few things that were going on.
"It has been a challenge but it is what it is, you have to take it on the chin."
Analysis from Sky Sports' James Cole:
"We will be hearing from Warren Gatland very shortly but clearly he doesn't feel he can name a team to play England on Saturday confidently because the players are threatening to strike if they don't agree terms tomorrow in a meeting with the WRU.
"The players are saying they will not train on Thursday and Friday.
"Gatland clearly feels he can't name a side and in naming a side, it would almost undervalue this threat if striking, it would almost devalue the reality of the players not playing if they are named in a team today.
"The players want three terms to be agreed by the WRU and this surrounds uncertainty over future contracts.
"Those three terms are this. The 60-cap rule is scrapped. That is the rule where only players with 60 caps or more can play their domestic rugby outside of Wales and still play for Wales.
"That is set to be scrapped or amended so that will be met.
"The second term is the players have representation on the Professional Rugby Board.
"That at the moment doesn't happen. That is also set to happen.
"The third term is the sticking point, it is around contracts and the new contracts are set to be brought in at the end of this season.
"They are fixed variable contracts that will mean players receive 80 per cent of their salary fixed but 20 per cent will be variable based on win bonuses.
"The players aren't happy with that, they say it isn't manageable. That is the sticking point tomorrow or the players will not train on Thursday or Friday and will not play England in Cardiff on Saturday."
