Alun Wyn Jones, the world’s most-capped rugby player, has refused to rule out Wales staging a Six Nations strike.
Players at the four rugby regions in the Principality have turned militant over a delay in offering new contracts which has left many fearing for their futures.
Cameramen filming Netflix's first behind-the-scenes Six Nations documentary were yesterday asked to leave Wales’ press conference - hours after players left a sponsor event early in a show of disaffection.
Asked if strike action was a possibility, former Wales captain Jones said: “I suppose it is. It is hard to deny, but it is the very last option.
“There are people who are really impassioned. Ultimately, if you treat people badly for long enough, you get to where we find ourselves.”
Warren Gatland’s squad, preparing to face England on Saturday week, met with Welsh Rugby Union interim boss Nigel Walker on Wednesday.
Following the meeting Malcolm Wall, chair of the Professional Game Board, said: “The cold facts are that the WRU and clubs have been paying salaries that their businesses cannot afford.”
Rather than diffuse the situation tensions have continued to rise, with Jones warning: “We have to sort this out now. We can’t go back into this cycle of uncertainty.
“It’s about protecting the game to ensure it goes well for generations to come.”
The 37-year old insists the players are “well aware” there are “rebalances” that need to be made financially but feels players are “boxed in” with their options.
He cited the 60-cap rule which allows only players who have reached that milestone to ply their trade outside Wales and still be eligible for Test selection.
“You don’t want to see guys in their early 20s not knowing where their career is going to go,” added the lock whose 168 Wales and Lions cap stretch back to 2006.
“They are curtailed at the minute with some of the conditions and the unilateral decisions made without negotiation.
“It is disappointing that we are 20 years into regional rugby and it’s the same things that have come around again.
“We are fortunate that we are all involved in a sport and a job we love. To fathom the fact we might not do that because of the severity of the situation is very real, but it’s the last thing we want to do.
“I can tell you every player wants to play rugby, but we can’t be under the guillotine and be used in the emotive side of things when ultimately this is a career and a job.”
