Welsh rugby players cannot continue playing and putting themselves at risk of injury with "the fear of the unknown hanging over them" amid a recruitment freeze, the Welsh Rugby Players' Association has warned.
Players across Wales' professional game are facing an uncertain time while the Welsh Rugby Union and four regions try to thrash out a new funding deal. It had initially been hoped the deal would be agreed ahead of the start of this season, but time is going on and regions don't yet know their budgets for next season, let alone beyond.
Therefore a freeze on re-signing or bringing in new players is currently in place.
Players have now taken the drastic action of publicly demanding an imminent end to the delay, with dozens of players in limbo as they head towards the end of their contracts in a matter of months. Cardiff, for example, will see 40% of their players see out their contracts next summer.
The players' union has warned that some of its members are "reluctantly seeking security elsewhere by exploring opportunities outside of Wales". That comment comes just days after Wales lock Will Rowlands agreed to join Racing 92 as the Dragons were unable to offer him an improved deal on a contract tabled some time ago to reflect his rise to prominence. Rowlands is putting his World Cup eligibility at risk by moving to France as he doesn't meet Wales' 60-cap threshold, which allows players to play their club rugby anywhere and still be eligible to play for Wales if they have at least 60 caps.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the WRPA said prolonged negotiations on a long-term finance model for Welsh rugby are having a detrimental effect on the wellbeing of players, some of whom are struggling to re-mortgage their homes or secure mortgages at all as they have no guarantee of employment beyond this season.
Meanwhile, the players' union also warned players are taking to the field knowing a serious injury could potentially prevent future employment elsewhere in the near future.
"For the sanity and health of our members, the delay cannot go on any longer", a statement read.
Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt is WRPA executive committee chairman, with the committee also featuring Dragons teammate George Nott, Cardiff's Lloyd Williams and Ellis Bevan, Dan Evans and Scott Baldwin of Ospreys and Scarlets' Rhys Patchell and Scott Williams.
Dealings between the regions and the game's governing body in Wales are conducted via the Professional Rugby Board (PRB), which has an independent chair in former Harlequins chairman Malcolm Wall. The PRB is made up of four regional representatives, Alun Jones (Cardiff Rugby), David Buttress (Dragons), Nick Garcia (Ospreys) and Simon Muderack (Scarlets), along with WRU CEO Steve Phillips, WRU finance director Tim Moss and two independent members, being Wall as chair and also Marianne Okland. The meetings are also attended by WRU performance director Nigel Walker and the chair of the rugby management board Jon Daniels.
In response to the WRPA statement, Walker said: "The WRU is acutely aware of current player anxiety and is working tirelessly to achieve a long term, sustainable solution alongside the regions, with all parties represented in ongoing Professional Rugby Board (PRB) discussions. We are optimistic a settlement is within our grasp.
"We understand how difficult it is for players and the regions during this period where contract negotiations are suspended due to the ongoing PRB discussions. Agreeing a new multi-year deal is absolutely vital for the long-term sustainability of professional rugby in Wales.
"Malcolm Wall (PRB's independent chair) and I are meeting the WRPA on Wednesday to discuss how we can work together over the coming weeks to map out and implement an action plan which gives players certainty in as short a time-frame as possible. Market uncertainty is not confined to Wales and the WRU has already taken steps, and will continue to act, as it does everything within its power to prevent any repeat of scenarios elsewhere, outside of Wales, which have seen clubs suffer financial collapse."
Read the full WRPA statement below:
"The WRPA (Welsh Rugby Players Association) have been in regular communication with all key stakeholders around the current negotiations for a long-term finance model for the four regions.
"We are in support of a long-term agreement, which will give stability and security to our members moving forward. The ongoing delay however is having a detrimental effect on the wellbeing of players and potentially the performances across the regions.
"The players from all four regions are united in one voice to call for the immediate resolution to the impasse. Our members can’t continue to play with the fear of the unknown hanging over them.
"Several players are out of contract at the end of June 2023 and with an embargo on contract negotiations, these members are unable to discuss, let alone secure future employment beyond the next six months. Not knowing if they have a job and thus an income to pay mortgages and bills is a weighty situation to be carrying on a day to day basis, and on to the field. Players are struggling to remortgage or get new mortgages as banks require proof of earnings. With only six months remaining on contracts and no guarantee of employment thereafter, banks are simply refusing at present.
"Players are still taking the field every week exposing themselves to injury, which would leave them vulnerable come contract negotiations anywhere, let alone Wales. We’ve seen three high-profile players in the autumn fall victim to this, but it’s the ‘squad’ players who are leaving themselves wide open, as they won’t have the luxury of choice when it comes to clubs and wages moving forward.
"The financial crisis of rugby in Wales and England has been well publicised in recent months, and the speculation of salary and squad size reductions has only amplified the anxiety and concern amongst professional players.
"Players are now reluctantly seeking security elsewhere by exploring opportunities outside of Wales and as a result, this week it was suggested that the first high-profile player has decided to move to France. Clearly this will have a detrimental effect on the domestic and international game in Wales.
"As an association, our role is to represent and support our members, with player welfare of utmost priority. Daily discussions on this matter are taking place in all four regions and as time goes on, we are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare and mental wellbeing of our members.
"For the sanity and health of our members, the delay cannot go on any longer. An agreement needs to be concluded by the Union and four regions imminently. We have participated diligently in the process but the calls for patience must be replaced with action. The WRPA is a voice representing the main asset in the game, the player, and to ensure a united, long-term future, this voice must be listened to."
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