Whats Going On In Wales Part 3

by geoff998rugby Tue 10 Jun 2014, 11:01 am

First topic message reminder :

Understand but if the EGM had gone a certain way his position would have been untenable.

Thats not going to happen now.

Did I hear correctly that a joint statement is due by WRU and RRW concerrning central/joint contracts.
Also heard something about an East/West split within RRW but they may be just groundless gossip

by **Notch** Fri 25 Jul 2014, 12:10 pm

So now the LV-Cup opening round has been scheduled for the same weekend as a round of Pro12 games. Couldn't make it up.

And the RFU has released this statement;

“The WRU is currently in negotiations with the regions regarding the Participation Agreement for the upcoming season.

“Once those negotiations have concluded, they will address the potential clash for Welsh clubs in Round 1 of the LV= Cup, the dates of which were agreed by all LV= Cup stakeholders back in April 2014.”

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 25 Jul 2014, 12:14 pm

*Note from RFU on LV= Cup Round 1 fixture clash with GUINNESS PRO12 Round 7: "The WRU is currently in negotiations with the regions regarding the Participation Agreement for the upcoming season. Once those negotiations have concluded, they will address the potential clash for Welsh clubs in Round 1 of the LV= Cup, the dates of which were agreed by all LV= Cup stakeholders back in April 2014.

So the question is who are the LV= Cup shareholders, and who are involved in the Pro12 fixtures. I believe the LV= Cup (powergen as it was) was a WRU backed, driven, idea. Could the union have double booked?

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 25 Jul 2014, 12:17 pm

The Fail wrote:Welsh rugby has been hit by a new calamity, with our regions scheduled to play in two different competitions on the same weekend in the coming season!

The release of the LV=Cup fixtures has revealed that the opening round of the Anglo-Welsh tournament clashes with a round of matches in the Guinness Pro 12.

It shows the Blues and the Scarlets are due to meet in the LV=Cup at the Arms Park on the weekend of October 31-November 2, with the Dragons hosting holders Exeter and the Ospreys travelling to Gloucester.

But on that same weekend, the four regions are supposed to be playing matches in the Pro12.

The Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets are due to be at home to Munster, Connacht and Zebre respectively, with the Dragons away to Ulster.

It remains unclear at the moment what the reason for the fixture clash is.

But LV= Cup organisers the RFU have issued the following statement: “The WRU is currently in negotiations with the regions regarding the Participation Agreement for the upcoming season.

“Once those negotiations have concluded, they will address the potential clash for Welsh clubs in Round 1 of the LV= Cup, the dates of which were agreed by all LV= Cup stakeholders back in April 2014.”

The LV=Cup is a complicated enough competition in its own rights, as teams don’t play sides in their own group.

The English clubs are unaffected by the clash as there are no Aviva Premiership matches scheduled for the weekend of October 31-Nov 2.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 25 Jul 2014, 12:21 pm

Just thinking, the LV= is a development tournament, so the clash just means extra matches that weekend, cos the main team will play in the Pro12, and the benchers will play LV=, and I get too watch us lose twice in one weekend

by Chunky Norwich Fri 25 Jul 2014, 12:22 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Just thinking, the LV= is a development tournament, so the clash just means extra matches that weekend, cos the main team will play in the Pro12, and the benchers will play LV=, and I get too watch us lose twice in one weekend

No chance the Welsh regions have those resources with semi pro sides playing as well.

by **Notch** Fri 25 Jul 2014, 12:22 pm

Well, there is the additional complication that the season has been rejigged for the new European competition, those games have been moved around and now the Pro12 and the Premiership don't exactly coincide with one another any more.

But the Pro12 fixture list has to be signed off by all the stakeholders and the same is true for the LV-Cup so someone in the regions or WRU or both has screwed up there.

by Chunky Norwich Fri 25 Jul 2014, 12:29 pm

Notch wrote:

But the Pro12 fixture list has to be signed off by all the stakeholders and the same is true for the LV-Cup so someone in the regions or WRU or both has screwed up there.

Why the regions? Aren't the Union the signatories for these 2 competitions?

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 25 Jul 2014, 12:37 pm

Chunky, I see your point. IF the union are the stakeholders in LV= then that really is pathetic. And even if they are not, but they are aware that dates have been agreed, then why did they agree the Pro12 dates afterwards?

by HammerofThunor Fri 25 Jul 2014, 12:40 pm

The RFU are stakeholders in the LV= Cup so you'd think the WRU are as well.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 25 Jul 2014, 12:43 pm

HammerofThunor wrote:The RFU are stakeholders in the LV= Cup so you'd think the WRU are as well.

I assumed so, because ironically, the regions didn't want any part of it to begin with as it was more fixtures in a crammed schedule.

by Chunky Norwich Fri 25 Jul 2014, 12:48 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Chunky, I see your point. IF the union are the stakeholders in LV= then that really is pathetic. And even if they are not, but they are aware that dates have been agreed, then why did they agree the Pro12 dates afterwards?

Because they are incompetent.

by Cardiff Dave Fri 25 Jul 2014, 3:31 pm

D'oh!
How very fecking Welsh though. I'm reminded of the Swalec cup draw live on tv some 10/15 years ago I think, when 1 team was drawn out of the bag, twice. The look on the faces of those present was epic.

by Cardiff Dave Fri 25 Jul 2014, 3:34 pm

Irish Londoner wrote:Would it be the other way round - if there's no deal in place by the time the AI squads are announced would the pressure be on RRW to settle not the WRU.
Secnario being WRU announces the squad for the AIs, RRW says "were not releasing them", WRU reiterate that the players are selected and should attend international training unless they state they do not want to make themselves available to play for Wales in the future.
Players panic with RWC2015 round the corner, the Welsh public (most of whom are worried about the international side not the RRW teams) go ballistic, the WRU point out to RRW that if the AI's dont go ahead then the loss of income means even less to go to them - WRU will prioritise funding the Championship and amateur clubs before RRW, RRW painted into a corner.
Brinkmanship I know but after the Moffett vote Lewis is (or at least sees himself) as secure in his role.
Personally i think (hope) it will be all resolved before the AIs but if I was a RRW team owner I'd be looking at the best (least financially damaging) way I could disentangle myself from ownership and leave the WRU to run it.

"Instead of getting the Welsh-based players 13 days before an international, the head coach will get them for five days, the minimum obligation under IRB law. For any match outside the official IRB autumn Test window – South Africa in Cardiff on November 29 – the Regions say they will not get them at all. That already applies to Welsh players based in England and France."

- See more at: http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/international-rugby-union/test-rugby/autumn-internationals/17486/wales-team-in-turmoil-as-regions-crank-it-up/#sthash.pcTk8lEQ.dpuf

by HammerofThunor Fri 25 Jul 2014, 3:39 pm

Actually they'd get them 13 days before the international match for 3 days. Then they'd return to their club before returning to the Welsh camp 5 days before the game. The first 3 days can't result in them missing a game. The IRB Regs changed in 2008 or 2009 (just after the English EPS agreement) but (un)surprisingly some journalists don't appear to keep up to date.

Reg 9.13

Have a look at 9.20-22

If a union withholds a player more than 24 hours after a game (for home games) then they can be fined, have reduced Player access or be forbidden to call up players Smile

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 25 Jul 2014, 3:48 pm

Just thinking Wales have George North and Sam Warburton available for the SA game. I'm sure they could strike a deal with Bristol to make Dwayne Peel, Matthew Morgan, Ryan Jones, Ian Evans, Adam Jones?, etc if we only take them for that game and not the full AIs.

Does the IRB have a squad size limit for the International Windows? Or coukd, the WRU, if they wanted to be childish, call up all the WQ first team players from the four regions?

by HammerofThunor Fri 25 Jul 2014, 3:55 pm

Reg 9.14 - limited to 30 players

Also

Reg 9.15 - players not involved in the match day squad must be released back to their club (if the squad is based at home).

Reg 9.16 - the match day squad consists of 26 players 96 hours before kick off. This is reduced to 22 (23?) 72 hours before kick off.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 25 Jul 2014, 4:02 pm

Cheers Hammer, had a feeling there would know the regs.

by HammerofThunor Fri 25 Jul 2014, 4:27 pm

~~Well I know where they are. Christ even I'm not sad enough to know the numbers off by heart~~

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 25 Jul 2014, 5:12 pm

HammerofThunor wrote:Well I know where they are. Christ even I'm not sad enough to know the numbers off by heart

Don't ruin the illusion Hug

by Cardiff Dave Fri 25 Jul 2014, 7:58 pm

HammerofThunor wrote:~~Well I know where they are. Christ even I'm not sad enough to know the numbers off by heart~~

Cheers for the info, Statto.
I knew the last PA was very favourable to team Wales, but now I realise it was even more than that. Makes me wonder how come the regions signed the deal in the first place. Paul Turner's comment on IRW, make more sense as well since he said recently that it wasn't a good deal when they all agreed to it 5 or so years ago.
Feck the 4th, btw.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 25 Jul 2014, 8:19 pm

HammerofThunor wrote:~~Well I know where they are. Christ even I'm not sad enough to know the numbers off by heart~~

by Cardiff Dave Fri 25 Jul 2014, 8:42 pm

Robin Davey @robindavey01 · 11h

Long meeting yesterday between WRU and regions as hopes of peace deal rise. We've heard that before though-many times

From you actually, Robin.
I reckon, if anything is announced in the near future claiming to be an agreement, it will be more like an Israel/Palestine type cease-fire. For me, the WRU should withdraw to internationally recognised IRB borders whilst paying the going rate for our troops.

by justified sinner Tue 29 Jul 2014, 8:08 pm

Any news guys? All seems to have gone a bit quiet.

by Cardiff Dave Tue 29 Jul 2014, 9:11 pm

justified sinner wrote:Any news guys? All seems to have gone a bit quiet.

Sinister goings on according to twitter and........

"Robin Davey @robindavey01 · Jul 28
Leaks appear to have been sealed when it comes to drip, drip info on talks between WRU and regions. Deal must be close then!"

Simon Thomas @simonrug · Jul 28
@robindavey01 I don't think so given the conversations I have had today. Drip, drip, drip......"

So still dim deal on the cards then, I would say.

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 29 Jul 2014, 9:15 pm

No news as yet. Could be things are getting closer to a deal and leaks of "were getting there" have dried up as the final bits are down up. Or more likely its gone quiet because nothing as happening for people to report upon.

by justified sinner Tue 29 Jul 2014, 9:18 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:
justified sinner wrote:Any news guys? All seems to have gone a bit quiet.

Sinister goings on according to twitter and........

"Robin Davey @robindavey01 · Jul 28
Leaks appear to have been sealed when it comes to drip, drip info on talks between WRU and regions. Deal must be close then!"

Simon Thomas @simonrug · Jul 28
@robindavey01 I don't think so given the conversations I have had today. Drip, drip, drip......"

So still dim deal on the cards then, I would say.

Thanks. Hopefully we'll get some deal soon, I know whatever that is will pee off half the posters on here and Welsh rugby supporters in general, but at least it will give us something to work with for next year.

Oh also some rugby, which I'm looking forward to.

by Cardiff Dave Tue 29 Jul 2014, 9:36 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:No news as yet. Could be things are getting closer to a deal and leaks of "were getting there" have dried up as the final bits are down up. Or more likely its gone quiet because nothing as happening for people to report upon.

"Martyn Fowler ‏@Martyn_Fowler 11h
@paulturnerrugby @Mooro9 @thepaulwilliams I'm sure a resolution for the Good of the game will be made very soon Paul

Paul Turner ‏@paulturnerrugby
@Martyn_Fowler @Mooro9 @thepaulwilliams Hopefully!! A few twists yet though!! Some people are desperate to maintain status quo!! #wonderwhy"

Don't we all.

by Cardiff Dave Tue 29 Jul 2014, 9:56 pm

justified sinner wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:
justified sinner wrote:Any news guys? All seems to have gone a bit quiet.

Sinister goings on according to twitter and........

"Robin Davey @robindavey01 · Jul 28
Leaks appear to have been sealed when it comes to drip, drip info on talks between WRU and regions. Deal must be close then!"

Simon Thomas @simonrug · Jul 28
@robindavey01 I don't think so given the conversations I have had today. Drip, drip, drip......"

So still dim deal on the cards then, I would say.

Thanks. Hopefully we'll get some deal soon, I know whatever that is will pee off half the posters on here and Welsh rugby supporters in general, but at least it will give us something to work with for next year.

Oh also some rugby, which I'm looking forward to.

Me included. Welsh rugby needs a total change of tack and blood spilled IMHO rather than a half baked deal. Supporters of all descriptions also deserve to know the truth.

by Steffan Wed 30 Jul 2014, 12:53 am

The best solution really is the WRU buying out the pro clubs and turning them into real regions. Doubt that will happen though and I'm sure the horrible Pieman and the rest of the moneymen will get their way in some shape or form and Welsh rugby will be stuck in a rut for another 10 years

by XR Wed 30 Jul 2014, 8:21 am

Steffan wrote:The best solution really is the WRU buying out the pro clubs and turning them into real regions. Doubt that will happen though and I'm sure the horrible Pieman and the rest of the moneymen will get their way in some shape or form and Welsh rugby will be stuck in a rut for another 10 years

lol, WRU doesn't have the money to buy out all of them so keep on daydreaming.

OLE OLE OLE

by Allty Wed 30 Jul 2014, 9:13 am

Gc They don't have to buy them out. The regions are in massive debt. No WRU funding could bankrupt the regions very quickly

by bedfordwelsh Wed 30 Jul 2014, 9:24 am

Allty wrote:Gc They don't have to buy them out. The regions are in massive debt. No WRU funding could bankrupt the regions very quickly

Would it though, Gc himself has informed me that the pieman bank roles the Blues and is why they can afford Anscombe on their own without WRU funding. That said if the two parties don't come to an agreement could the WRU pull them out of any league/cup they are entered into, if so what happens then.

by XR Wed 30 Jul 2014, 10:21 am

Allty wrote:Gc They don't have to buy them out. The regions are in massive debt. No WRU funding could bankrupt the regions very quickly

Could it? The player release funding they get is there simply because Gatland wanted more time with the players, outside of the standard IRB release time, and the regions were paid for this. If this funding is ceased, then wales gets less time with their players and the regions will have them for more time in the year than previously which, you could argue, will benefit their own results as their better players will be available for more games. Better results = more interest = more fans = more self generated income.

And when you say 'debt', we would need to know what kind of debt they're in. The blues, for instance, are funded by Peter Thomas who is worth a fair dab. Now, if the money he puts in to the blues is in the style of interest free loans then if the blues were in debt, it would only be to him and he's the owner.

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 30 Jul 2014, 2:19 pm

I just love this whole real region tosh. I do wonder if some people do really look at where the regional fans are drawn from.

by Allty Wed 30 Jul 2014, 10:56 pm

GC I'm told that Thomas's loans are not interest free.

The fact remains that the regions are collectively in considerable debt

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 30 Jul 2014, 11:06 pm

Allty wrote:GC I'm told that Thomas's loans are not interest free.

The fact remains that the regions are collectively in considerable debt

The regions are in debt, however were moving closer to clearing those debts each season. However they have infrastructures, a branding that's known throughout the sport etc that does carry value.

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 31 Jul 2014, 10:27 pm

Well the first innocent casualties of this war look like the kids in the Wales under 18s, the regions are stopping them participating in the tour of South Africa.

Its really sad that things have come to this. Personally I can only see this harming the regions image, as these kids could end up missing a once in a lifetime trip to South Africa to represent their country. No doubt the politics of the situation will mean little to them, their friends or family. And they'll probably end up a lost generation to regional rugby no matter if peice is brokered later on.

I can't really blame the regions for this as they had to make their stand eventually, and whenever they did make that stand there was always going to be innocents getting dragged into it in the process. This being the under 18s team may be seen by the 'general welsh fan' as a lesser issue than the AIs being interupted, but it is a clear statement of intent.

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 31 Jul 2014, 10:32 pm

Wales Under-18s tour to South Africa under threat amid row between WRU and regions

WALES Under-18s' tour of South Africa this month is under threat amid the ongoing row between the Welsh Rugby Union and the four Welsh regions.

Players contracted with the Ospreys, Scarlets, Blues and Dragons have been stopped from training in preparation for a festival where Wales are set to go up against England, South Africa and France.

Regional Rugby Wales, the umbrella body that represents the regions, announced earlier this month that they would not release players to international competitions that were outside of the International Rugby Board window.

And although they allowed players to head to Glasgow to compete for Team Wales in the Commonwealth Games sevens, they are holding firm with their under-18s players.

Wales, under the stewardship of Allan Lewis, are due to fly out to South Africa on August 11, but for the last two weekends haven't been able to train together as a squad in preparation for the matches which are taking place across the Western Cape.

Wales are scheduled to play England in Cape Town on August 15, South Africa in George on August 19 and France in Stellenbosch on August 23.

But with little sign of the impasse between the governing body and regions ending, the WRU may be soon forced into making a decision whether to go ahead with the tour or not.

The row surrounds the failure of both parties to agree on a new participation agreement, which binds the regions to the union over matters such as funding, player release and overseas quotas.

Earlier this month, the regions described the negotiations as 'indescribably tortuous' and have said they will go it alone without union funding and not release their players for tournaments outside of IRB regulations, including the controversial fourth November international.

Further talks have been taking place this week, but the Post understands the regions and WRU are still some way from coming to any agreement.

Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Wales-18s-tour-South-Africa-threat-amid-row-WRU/story-22042913-detail/story.html#ixzz392y6ImXI
Read more at http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Wales-18s-tour-South-Africa-threat-amid-row-WRU/story-22042913-detail/story.html#kEGkr8wfJuSYeV39.99

by HammerofThunor Thu 31 Jul 2014, 11:52 pm

After consulting my 'memory' it seems there is no provision in regulations for the U18 (only U20) so if no agreement comes they won't be released at all.

It may seem petty but I suppose they need to demonstrate all the things they do that they don't have to. That way the WRU know what they need to pay for.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 01 Aug 2014, 12:12 am

HammerofThunor wrote:After consulting my 'memory' it seems there is no provision in regulations for the U18 (only U20) so if no agreement comes they won't be released at all.

It may seem petty but I suppose they need to demonstrate all the things they do that they don't have to. That way the WRU know what they need to pay for.

Its just a shame that people are getting caught in the crossfire. Warburton knew what was happening, and chose sides, Adam Jones knew what was happening and sat on the fence. But these kids really had no choice

by HammerofThunor Fri 01 Aug 2014, 7:40 am

Finally (edit: BBC agreement, not participation, could have been misleading)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/28550272

Doesn't say ow much but it never does with BBC stuff.

Edit: this happened a few days ago. Sorry, didn't see anything reported.

by wayne Fri 01 Aug 2014, 10:53 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Wales Under-18s tour to South Africa under threat amid row between WRU and regions

WALES Under-18s' tour of South Africa this month is under threat amid the ongoing row between the Welsh Rugby Union and the four Welsh regions.

Players contracted with the Ospreys, Scarlets, Blues and Dragons have been stopped from training in preparation for a festival where Wales are set to go up against England, South Africa and France.

Regional Rugby Wales, the umbrella body that represents the regions, announced earlier this month that they would not release players to international competitions that were outside of the International Rugby Board window.

And although they allowed players to head to Glasgow to compete for Team Wales in the Commonwealth Games sevens, they are holding firm with their under-18s players.

Wales, under the stewardship of Allan Lewis, are due to fly out to South Africa on August 11, but for the last two weekends haven't been able to train together as a squad in preparation for the matches which are taking place across the Western Cape.

Wales are scheduled to play England in Cape Town on August 15, South Africa in George on August 19 and France in Stellenbosch on August 23.

But with little sign of the impasse between the governing body and regions ending, the WRU may be soon forced into making a decision whether to go ahead with the tour or not.

The row surrounds the failure of both parties to agree on a new participation agreement, which binds the regions to the union over matters such as funding, player release and overseas quotas.

Earlier this month, the regions described the negotiations as 'indescribably tortuous' and have said they will go it alone without union funding and not release their players for tournaments outside of IRB regulations, including the controversial fourth November international.

Further talks have been taking place this week, but the Post understands the regions and WRU are still some way from coming to any agreement.

Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Wales-18s-tour-South-Africa-threat-amid-row-WRU/story-22042913-detail/story.html#ixzz392y6ImXI
Read more at http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Wales-18s-tour-South-Africa-threat-amid-row-WRU/story-22042913-detail/story.html#kEGkr8wfJuSYeV39.99

Sad for the kids, but inevitable really, RRW had to make a line in the sand and stand firmly behind it together and this is what appears to be happening, the WRU will HAVE to ring fence the extra money or suffer the consequences.

by Cardiff Dave Fri 01 Aug 2014, 7:54 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
Allty wrote:GC I'm told that Thomas's loans are not interest free.

The fact remains that the regions are collectively in considerable debt

The regions are in debt, however were moving closer to clearing those debts each season. However they have infrastructures, a branding that's known throughout the sport etc that does carry value.

by Cardiff Dave Fri 01 Aug 2014, 8:17 pm

Steffan wrote:The best solution really is the WRU buying out the pro clubs and turning them into real regions. Doubt that will happen though and I'm sure the horrible Pieman and the rest of the moneymen will get their way in some shape or form and Welsh rugby will be stuck in a rut for another 10 years

The offer was there Steff. Any guess as to why the WRU didn't take it up? Sounds a bit rude. Go the whole hog, Mog.

"Welsh regions offer WRU chance to take them over

Wales' four regions have offered the Welsh Rugby Union the chance to take them over and want a deal to end their impasse by 18 July."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/28205291

by Cardiff Dave Fri 01 Aug 2014, 9:38 pm

Allty wrote:GC I'm told that Thomas's loans are not interest free.

The fact remains that the regions are collectively in considerable debt

Someone's fibbing you Allty and anyway isn't being in debt a good thing these days? Our young folk are leaving "Uni" with debts of 30, 40, 50 grand. We've never had it better!

by bedfordwelsh Sat 02 Aug 2014, 10:48 am

Cardiff Dave wrote:
Allty wrote:GC I'm told that Thomas's loans are not interest free.

The fact remains that the regions are collectively in considerable debt

Someone's fibbing you Allty and anyway isn't being in debt a good thing these days? Our young folk are leaving "Uni" with debts of 30, 40, 50 grand. We've never had it better!

Cool if thats the case best I go out and start spending more lol

by ScarletSpiderman Sun 03 Aug 2014, 6:41 pm

espn wrote:Warren Gatland has drawn up a shortlist of 10 Wales-based players he wants to see offered dual club-and-country contracts for the new season.
The Wales head coach is set to attempt to restart negotiations between the warring WRU and regions over the terms of proposed central contracts for some of his key men. With the World Cup just over a year away, Gatland wants to see players tied down to regional rugby to guarantee their availability for the national side.

The list, revealed in the Rugby Paper, includes Wales captain Sam Warburton, a player who has already signed a deal with the WRU. Gatland wants others to follow Warburton's lead in signing up to central contracts, with the regions also providing funding for the scheme.

The 10 names on the list are:

Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues)
Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues)
Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)
Ken Owens (Scarlets)
Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues)
Scott Williams (Scarlets)
Liam Williams (Scarlets)
Gatland is also understood to have a secondary list of 27 players he would like to see offered central contracts in due course. That list includes four teenagers - the Dragons' Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon and Hallam Amos, and the Ospreys' Dafydd Howells.

Wales prop Adam Jones is not featured on either list because Gatland believed he had agreed to play in England next season. Jones was set to sign for Bristol, who then planned to sub-contract him to Sale Sharks until the Championship play-offs for promotion to the Premiership.

That deal fell through after Sale pulled out, with the Rugby Paper reporting that Jones' regional side Ospreys continued to pay him in June, despite his contract with them officially expiring in May. Despite speculation that his future might lie with French champions Toulon, Jones appears to have little alternative than to return to Ospreys for the new season.

A player signing a dual club-and-country contract would be employed by both the WRU and his region. A sticking point is likely to arise over the number of days a dual-contract player is made available for the national side and how many matches he is forced to miss for his region.

The WRU is prepared to put up £2 million for the scheme, with the regions providing another £2m. Gatland, who had thought a deal was within reach before he went on holiday to his native New Zealand, will be frustrated to discover the two parties are still a long way from an agreement.

Warburton signed a three-year deal with the WRU in January, with the Union releasing him to play for Cardiff Blues. The WRU made an unsuccessful bid to sign a further five players to central contracts, but men such as the Ospreys' Alun-Wyn Jones opted to sign renewed deals with their regions.

Read more at http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/story/235667.html#v6UMLKIyYT0HdQ7q.99

by **Notch** Sun 03 Aug 2014, 6:45 pm

That would be brilliant for Welsh Rugby SS, hope it all comes together

by HammerofThunor Sun 03 Aug 2014, 7:10 pm

Well that depends doesn't it. They currently get £6M or so. Is this £2M on top of that? Do they players get moved or will some regions get 'less'? Do Ospreys and Dragons have to put £0.5M each or less because they have one player each?

The past two years have shown the Rugby Paper have put out some complete and utter cow pat so pitch of salt for this until it happens.

by ScarletSpiderman Sun 03 Aug 2014, 7:15 pm

Thunor, I'd tend to agree that nothing is worth trusting in the press with regards the whole welsh issue atm. But I can't help hanging on to stories like this as a little ray of hope.

Funny how Priest has been replaced by the ringer already.

by Sponsored content