Wales v England Six Nations clash to go ahead as players call off strike threat

Wales’s Six Nations match against England in Cardiff on Saturday will go ahead after potential strike action from Welsh players over a contract dispute was averted, the Welsh Rugby Union has announced.

Players had gathered at Wales’s training base in the Vale of Glamorgan to discuss a range of issues with Professional Rugby Board members, with many of them out of contract at their regional teams at the end of this season.

The threat of players taking Six Nations strike action occurred as a result of a new six-year financial agreement between the Welsh Rugby Union and its four regions not being confirmed and no playing budgets finalised.

But the acting WRU chief executive, Nigel Walker, said: “I’m pleased to announce that after extensive conversations and discussions over the last week the Wales-England game will go ahead as scheduled.

15 Feb: Take it or leave it dealThe Welsh Rugby Union and the regions insist there is “no room for manoeuvre” on the budget for player contracts in Wales. The take-or-leave-it deal which has to be signed by 28 February – three days after facing England in Cardiff – would see lower wages all round and bonuses introduced into contracts for the first time.  

16 Feb: Players have ‘had enough’The Welsh Rugby Players’ Association say that “players have had enough” amid the ongoing uncertainty caused by Welsh rugby’s professional contracts freeze and threaten to strike. “Until the long-form agreement is signed and active, no players’ futures are guaranteed.”

16 Feb: Gatland against strikeLater that day, Wales head coach Warren Gatland says he would not back his players if they decided to strike instead of lining up against England in the Six Nations even though his former captain Alun Wyn Jones