Wales coach Warren Gatland expects next week's Six Nations clash with England to go ahead despite the threat of strike action.
Welsh rugby players are in dispute with bosses about a long-term pay agreement, with senior international Alun Wyn Jones admitting on Thursday it was "hard to deny" that it was a very real possibility.
At the same press conference, Gatland said he did not support players striking for the clash with England, but did back them to have a stronger voice over their own future.
The Wales coach now says that he is "confident" the game will go ahead despite the fact that Welsh players have handed a list of demands to Welsh rugby bosses that they expect to be met before the middle of next week.
"I expect the game’s going to be played," said Gatland. "I’ve seen these sort of things happen in the past and I’m confident the game will go ahead.
"The boys have been great in training. We’ve had a really tough session this morning and another this afternoon and the boys have been great. I’ve just got to put all that sort of stuff aside, and makes sure that we focus on the game."
The three main demands made from Wales players to WRU interim CEO Nigel Walker are to remove the fixed-variable element from contracts, give the players a seat at the table of Professional Rugby Board meetings and scrap the 60-cap rule.
Gatland believes that the latter was fit for purpose when first introduced, but believes it's worth reviewing the rule - particularly if the number of professional sides in Wales was to fall from four to three.
"It was fit for purpose when it was introduced," he said. "Ironically it got called Gatland’s law.
"My argument at the time was look at Australia where it’s 30 games and I thought that was potentially appropriate. The regions wanted 70 and we ended up with 60, but I’m not sure it’s fit for purpose at the moment.
"There’s an opportunity under the current situation to say let’s potentially get rid of it. That needs to be negotiated for post World Cup if it’s beneficial going forward.
"Get in a room and discuss it, but not for months and months. What’s the best thing?
"I can see it working for four regions but I can’t see it working if we end up with three or two regions because it doesn’t make sense to me to not have players potentially outside of Wales available."
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