General Rugby Discussion 3

Absolutely nuts rumours going around tonight about a merger between one of the Ospreys/Dragons and ... wait for it, Ealing Trailfinders.

And them joining the URC.

I'm not sure what's more sad, that this would be entertained or that the plethora of **** that's coming out about the WRU these days means that people are taking the rumours seriously.

Wales players set Wednesday deadline for WRU to meet demands

Union accused of playing ‘Championship Manager’ amid threat of strike action

The threat of Wales players striking for the England match in the Guinness Six Nations intensified after they gave the Welsh Rugby Union a week to resolve their contractual dispute with a list of demands.

Wales play their third Six Nations match next Saturday in Cardiff against their fiercest rivals but are determined that they will forfeit that game if their requests are not met next week.

On Wednesday, senior members of Warren Gatland’s Wales team and representatives from the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) met the interim WRU chief executive Nigel Walker at 3pm. The players told the WRU to satisfy three demands in a week, or they would consider “serious action”, including striking for the England match. Their requests were:

Scrap the 60-cap rule that prevents players with fewer appearances from representing their country if they move abroad

Remove the proposed contractual structure, where only 80 per cent of salaries are guaranteed, with 20 per unlocked by “unrealistic” bonuses

Guarantee a seat at the negotiating table for the Welsh Rugby Players Association

The Times understands the players are genuine about their strike threat. A source said: “If the WRU delivers by next Wednesday, it’s all normal, but if not then the players have to take serious action.”

As the WRU makes about £8-10 million from staging Test matches, it would be an enormous financial blow to lose the England game. It would also represent unprecedented action by an international rugby teamn and seriously undermine the Six Nations tournament, while leaving the WRU in its deepest ever crisis.

At 5.30pm on Wednesday the WRU issued a statement which spelled out their position, from which they will not budge. It said: “There is no room for manoeuvre when it comes to the overall budget available for player contracts.”

The players were livid that it was released while they were training at their Vale of Glamorgan base. Many were then required to attend a dinner organised for WRU sponsors at Cardiff’s Parkgate Hotel — which the union owns. The players attended, but then walked out in protest together.

The Times also has learnt that in another show of strength, the Wales team are now refusing to film with Netflix this week. The company are producing a behind-the-scenes documentary during this Six Nations, to be aired next year, with a camera crew ensconced with each camp.

However, the Welsh team have decided to snub them while this row goes on. The WRU will earn about £100,000 from Netflix for taking part in the film.

On Thursday morning, the WRPA criticised the country’s union for playing fantasy rugby and breaking promises. The players’ association is exasperated by this situation, having raised concerns about it publicly in December. It is also distressed by the lack of consultation with the WRU.

“This is having a profound effect on players, especially those out of contract, and is placing unacceptable strain on mental health and overall wellbeing,” the WRPA statement read.

“Strike action is something that we wish to see avoided as a players union and our members want to be taking the field as they always have — but clearly the anxiety caused by the situation is now affecting the lives and profession of players. Players have had enough. This is not a game of ‘Championship Manager’.

“Once again, the players are expected to clean up someone else’s mess. We understand that negotiations are complex, but this particular issue has been ongoing for a prolonged period of time with deadlines set and missed, promises made and broken.”

Both Scotland and Ireland have already beaten Wales, so any Grand Slam will be asterisk free.

I hope they do strike, and that the rotten edifice of the WRU comes crashing down. I'm just disappointed they didn't demand more. An end to the management and administration of the Professional game by amateurs and an end to money being directed away from the Regions and their structures to fund the amateur game.

The fans are the ones not going to games... for donkeys years..

They need a commitment to completely overhaul the governance of rugby in Wales, Warburton's piece from a few months back did not come out of a vacuum. I expect he'd spoken to a lot of people in the Welsh game before publicizing that pointed a criticism and it indicates and appetite for a serious house cleaning exercise. Add into it the recent abuse stuff and it makes me think there is a concerted and organized campaign to make the ruling gangs position untenable. It's a long game but it can only begin with the dead wood swept away.

They have a team from north wales thats competing in the welsh premiership and has done so for 7/8 years but there isnt any chance of a pro team in the north. Colwyn bay would be location for a team but RGC just competing in welsh premiership is highest rugby will get in the north of the country