Welsh Rugby Union president Gerald Davies has issued a direct address to supporters, saying: "This is a solemn time for us in Welsh rugby which, I must confess, is putting it mildly."
Penning a monologue in the Wales v England matchday programme, the rugby legend says it has been a "harrowing time" and the WRU are "sorry that it has come to this".
The 78-year-old, who played 46 times for Wales and in five British and Irish Lions Tests, also shone a light on the efforts of grassroots rugby volunteers and pledged "rugby is to be enjoyed".
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It comes 72 hours after a Wales player strike for the Six Nations fixture, the biggest money-maker of Wales' home fixtures, was averted. On behalf of all regional players in Wales, national squad members gave rugby powerbrokers a week to put their house in order amid a contracts freeze which has put a heavy toll on 70-plus players who are out of contract in just a few months.
As a result of the strike threat, full offers will now be made from next week, a fixed-variable contract model is no longer compulsory, the controversial 60-cap selection rule has been reduced to 25, and the Welsh Rugby Players' Association will have a seat at Professional Rugby Board meetings to ensure players' voices are heard.
Davies won three Grand Slams between 1971 and 1978 and helped the Lions secure their only series win against New Zealand in 1971 - scoring 23 international tries in the process.
Gerald Davies' full message to supporters:
"This is a solemn time for us in Welsh rugby which, I must confess, is putting it mildly.
"In the forefront have been major complaints, recriminations and occasional diversions, hostile censures and home truths. When no sooner than one sore has been attended to and on the way to being healed with some relief, then another blemish arises elsewhere to concentrate the mind.
"It has been a harrowing time, unrelenting in its comment and judgement. We are sorry that it has come to this. It would be a relief to be able to take pause.
"For whilst all this is going on there is a tendency to forget that there is, as it always has been, the enduring and ceaseless contribution of volunteers in rugby clubs across Wales. Thousands of men and women throughout the hundreds of clubs are diligently and profoundly committed to maintaining their loyalty to rugby football in Wales, without recompense and hardly any recognition. We must take some comfort from this.
"Their only wish is to experience the satisfaction and joy in seeing their clubs thrive, to look after their members, to choose a team for Saturday's fixture, to make sure the club is open, and to see, on a Sunday morning their pitches populated with unnumbered girls and boys, having fun in running with the ball.
"Their hope is to encourage, motivate and excite the next generation, to become perhaps professional players, to appear for their regions and who knows, to run out at Principality Stadium in the scarlet jersey of Wales. This goes on silently and without any noise and distractions. And the truth be told it is where it began for all of us.
"Rugby is to be enjoyed. Amongst today's turmoil it is worth reminding ourselves of the so much good that prevails the length and breadth of the country.
"The two strands of the game, amateur and professional, are interconnected. The one cannot do without the other, each appreciating what the other accomplishes.
"Let us look forward to a great game. Let us enjoy it."
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