Welsh rugby players have been warned they face a £220,000 cut in their annual wages as the financial crisis engulfing the WRU continues to deepen.
With the majority of regional players yet to have secured a contract for next season, the national squad last week threatened to strike ahead of the home Six Nations clash with England. When Warren Gatland opted to delay the team announcement, the measure appeared a distinct possibility until the players opted to call off action following crisis talks with the Professional Rugby Board (PRB)
The match would have cost Welsh rugby in the region of £9 million had it not gone ahead, but amid hampered preparation, Gatland's side slipped to a third straight defeat in this year's Championship. England ran out 20-10 winners in was a largely uninspired contest in Cardiff.
But despite an apparent resolution being reached, the saga has now been reignited after reports that 12 Cardiff players, including internationals, will face drastic wage cuts. According to Wales Online the players, who earn up to £250,000 a year, have been told the maximum they will be offered next season is £30,000.
The likes of Josh Adams, Rhys Carre, Toby Faletau, Tomos Williams and namesake Liam Williams have become seasoned internationals with Wales, but it now appears inconceivable that all will remain to ply their trade in Wales. As part of last week's negotiations, bosses agreed to drop the controversial 60 cap rule to 25.
It means players who have earned 25 Welsh caps are now free to move abroad to play their club rugby and still be eligible for the national team. The measure, brought in during Gatland's first stint in charge, was designed to ensure the national side had full access to their players during international breaks.
Developments will also trigger further speculation that Wales will cut its number of professional sides next season. With budgets for all four regions dropping down from £7.8million to £5.2 million, there has been speculation that at least one will be cut.
Acting WRU Chief Executive Nigel Walker had previously said that he expected the matters to be resolved this week, telling the BBC: "The contract discussions with players, that is going to go ahead irrespective.
"The regions are actually contracting before it is signed. That gives you an indication of their confidence that it is going to be signed. So yes, I'm very confident that this week will go smoothly."
