In contractual dispute, the Welsh players and the general manager of the Welsh Rugby Federation reached an agreement during a meeting on Wednesday, three days before the match.
The clash between Wales and England will finally take place. Nigel Walker, the managing director of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), announced on Wednesday February 22 that the risk of a strike by Welsh players had been ruled out. In contractual dispute with their Federation, the latter cast uncertainty over the holding of the match. At the end of a meeting, which the captain of the XV du Leek, Ken Owens, attended, compromises were found.
“I think the collaboration, the conversations that have taken place over the last week, the last ten days, have shown that positive resolutions can be found. (…) There has obviously been enormous frustration over the months and it’s disappointing that we got to this point, that we felt we had to take a stand.”reacted the latter in remarks reported by the British channel ITV.
The tension has eased a notch, but new discussions are expected in the coming weeks. “Significant progress has been made, but it is now important that all players in Wales can have contracts that give them certainty. There is still some work to be done.”warned Ashton Hewitt, executive chairman of the Welsh Players Union.
Results also at half mast
Regarding the claims of Welsh players, they have obtained the lowering of the rule of 60 selections. The course set to be able to play abroad while remaining selectable “has been reduced to 25”, announced Nigel Walker. In addition, they will now be represented at meetings of the Professional Rugby Board (organization bringing together the Federation and the four Welsh provinces) by Gareth Lewis, the general manager of the Welsh players’ union (WRPA). Finally, the new compensation model offered to players, with a lower fixed part than currently and a variable part, will not be the only one offered. It will also have its counterpart “only fixed, and agent, player and province can choose” the most satisfying option.
“I think everyone in Welsh rugby really needs to pull together now to find the best way forward, and we need to do that collaboratively, together, to put Welsh rugby back on top of the world. And not be the laughing stock that we are right now”, insisted Ken Owens. Before the third day of the Six Nations, Wales are dead last with no points scored and a difference of -52, after two stinging defeats against Ireland at home (10-34) and Scotland (7-35).
