The stand-off between Welsh players and rugby bosses over contracts that has raised the possibility of strike action for Wales v England in the Six Nations this weekend has largely hinged on three demands.
It would appear that two of them — getting rid of the 60-cap rule and giving the Welsh Rugby Players' Association a voice on the Professional Rugby Board, which runs the pro game in Wales — could happen in the coming days.
However, the final demand — to review the fixed-variable contracts that would see only 80% of players' wages guaranteed — seems to be one that Welsh rugby bosses are not willing to budge on. Without any form of concession on that front, the probability of strike action remains very real.
