Welsh internationals strike action?
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Topic: Welsh internationals strike action?
Posted By: islander
Subject: Welsh internationals strike action?
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2023 at 19:46
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Am treating this with some scepticism, esp as it's based on a Daily Mail story, but still... (below from Telegraph) Wales v England in doubt after Warren Gatland’s players consider strike action Wales players reportedly using anti-depressants, have missed mortgage repayments and are considering taking strike action mid-tournament By Charles Richardson, RUGBY REPORTER 14 February 2023 • 7:18pm England's next Six Nations match has been plunged into doubt after reports emerged that Wales's players were considering strike action over their stalling contract renewals. Steve Borthwick's side travel to Cardiff next Saturday for their third Six Nations match, but with Wales' players reportedly turning to antidepressants and missing out on mortgage offers due to the dispute, the third-round fixture is seemingly under threat. The Welsh Rugby Union, which is in the midst of one of its most turbulent periods in its history, has been discussing a new budgetary deal with the country's four regions, but an agreement is yet to be reached. That has left a huge number of players unsure of their immediate futures, unable to sign new deals with the World Cup looming - and in the middle of a testing Six Nations period for Warren Gatland's side. According to reports, Gatland's squad - who are winless so far in the Six Nations - and the rest of Wales' professional players will meet this week to discuss possible strike action. A player who has featured in both of Wales' matches in the Six Nations told the Daily Mail: "I can’t believe I’m five months away from the end of my contract and eight months away from the World Cup and my future isn’t certain yet." "I can’t apply for a mortgage and I’m on antidepressants. I’m also one big injury away from not having a job in July yet I’m starting for Wales every week and the WRU is making tens of millions from international matches." Writing on Twitter, Wales internationals Willis Halaholo and Sam Cross expressed their dismay at the situation. "Must be nice knowing you can still provide for your kids in about four months…," wrote the five-times-capped centre. "Just speaking up on behalf of the regular club players that have the most uncertainty. Y’all don’t know but I feel the anxiety in the changing room chat with the boys post training." Cross's frustrations centre on alleged fixed variable contracts that have formed part of the negotiations - which, according to reports, are not close to agreement - between the WRU and the four regions: Ospreys, Scarlets, Dragons and Cardiff. Players would reportedly be banded into wage tiers, with the majority earning between £30,000 and £100,000-a-year which could be topped up with bonuses. It has been reported that Wales’ players were only made aware of the proposals on Jan 23, ahead of their Six Nations opener with Ireland. A prominent figure in the Welsh regional game told the Mail: "The uncertainty of not knowing if they have a job for next season is having a huge impact on all the players in Wales, not just the national squad. "They have had enough. Everything is on the table, including possible strike action." The news comes at a time of consecutive crises at the WRU. At the end of January, Steve Phillips resigned as chief executive with Nigel Walker taking interim charge. Those changes came after a week in which the WRU had to answer questions about a toxic, misogynistic culture within its organisation. Chairman and Wales legend Ieuan Evans remains in post and has committed to an external investigation into the claims. A week after those claims came to light in a BBC investigation, Telegraph Sport revealed how the WRU had banned 'Delilah' from being sung by choirs at international matches at the Principality Stadium ahead of the Six Nations. Telegraph Sport has approached the WRU for comment. |
Replies:
Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2023 at 09:32
That could explain the less than sparkling performances in the first two rounds of the Six Nations.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/64646539" rel="nofollow - Welsh rugby union players consider strike action as England game looms
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Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2023 at 13:49
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/64661208" rel="nofollow - Welsh players' body says members 'have had enough' over contracts delay
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Posted By: tulip
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2023 at 14:48
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It was said that some Welsh players were on £400000 a year On the last 2 performances I think they were very lucky whoever they are
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Posted By: Brizzer
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 14:29
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This is getting very real now and uncomfortably close. Should the players strike (god forbid), does anyone know what sanctions Wales would face from the 6 nations? I’m guessing that they would receive zero points and England 5, but what about points? Would it be a 0-30 walkover for example? Also, what about the remaining 2 games that Wales are due to play? Could they be kicked out of this season’s competition? And how does that leave their preparation for the WC?….. what a monumental mess. ------------- Tackle Low!!!!! |
Posted By: Rabbie Burns
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 16:04
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It was said on the radio last night that if this game didn’t go ahead it would bankrupt the WRU as this is their cash cow game and everything financially this year rests on the income from it and the players are aware of that hence their stance ------------- So many Christians not enough Lions |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 16:12
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Players are meeting management, the meeting is expected to last 90 minutes. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/live-welsh-rugby-wru-strike-26299019" rel="nofollow - https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/live-welsh-rugby-wru-strike-26299019 ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 16:59
| 5 easy points for England on offer then! |
Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 17:52
| Match on - agreement reached. |
Posted By: Richard Lowther
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 17:54
Maybe I am niaive but I never had any doubts it would be. ------------- Moderator http://www.leaguerugby.co.uk" rel="nofollow - National League Rugby Message Boards Remember Wakefield RFC |
Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 18:06
It would appear that the players picked the ideal opportunity to take their stand - make a deal with us or lose around ten million quid. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/64718572" rel="nofollow - Wales will play match against England despite player unrest |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 18:38
Yeah right - no motivation at all for the home players!  I predicted Wales to go LLWLL in this 6N a while ago & haven’t changed my mind…
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Posted By: Brizzer
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 18:46
Hardly good preparation for either side, but you could get the unity bounce driving Wales… along with about 50,000 fanatic supporters of course. Adds an extra edge mind you ------------- Tackle Low!!!!! |
Posted By: Richard Lowther
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 19:19
I can understand some of their concerns but it seems a strange argument - we'll go on strike because we haven't enough money/job security - yet that very act would probably destroy the finances of the body that they are asking for money money and job security from. ------------- Moderator http://www.leaguerugby.co.uk" rel="nofollow - National League Rugby Message Boards Remember Wakefield RFC |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 19:24
| Bit like Royal Mail then! |
Posted By: jimbojetset
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 20:18
Not strange at all. Their employer is expecting them to just carry on as if everything is normal. The only reason their employer has decided to sit down and deal with the problem they’ve created is because their only real asset (the players) have said they weren’t going to play. It was the nuclear option and the fact that the WRU only waited until now to sort it, says more about them than the players. |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 20:42
It seems the RFU aren't the only incompetent body in the Rugby World ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Richard Lowther
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2023 at 21:30
As I understand it negotations have been progressing for a while and that a deal was close. This just seems to have speeded up some of the part of that deal but hasn't completed the whole deal. The Welsh players have underperformed in recent seasons - both internationally and in Europe and you have to question if they deserve a pay increase, especially in an time when the game as a whole in Wales is struggling. It my mind it doesn't address the fundamental point that too much money is going to too few players and the rest of the game is left hunting for scraps. ------------- Moderator http://www.leaguerugby.co.uk" rel="nofollow - National League Rugby Message Boards Remember Wakefield RFC |
Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2023 at 13:37
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/64739285" rel="nofollow - Time to address 'laughing stock' image - Wales skipper Ken Owens
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Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2023 at 15:43
I thought many of the players were worried about having a contract at all as opposed to having an increased salary?
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Posted By: Richard Lowther
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2023 at 16:41
The four regions will still need players and there will be bigger gaps in squads if players go play outside of Wales so it's highly likely they would be offered contracts (no different to the usual end of contract negotiations) so that's a bit of a red herring. They are arguing over the new banding and the 20% bonus payments. ------------- Moderator http://www.leaguerugby.co.uk" rel="nofollow - National League Rugby Message Boards Remember Wakefield RFC |
Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2023 at 15:13
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Really? ‘Welsh Rugby Players Association
(WRPA) has criticised Wales rugby bosses, saying its players "feel let
down" and "have had enough" amid delays over new contracts. It added that the delay is having a
"profound effect" on players, particularly those out of contract, and
is "placing unacceptable strain on mental health and overall
wellbeing". Josh Turnbull, who plays for Cardiff
Rugby and has played for the national side, said players are
"anxious" and that the dispute is not around how much players earn
but "the fact that players don't know if they have a job in four months
time"’. https://news.sky.com/story/wales-rugby-why-are-players-threatening-to-go-on-strike-ahead-of-england-game-12812355#:~:text=" rel="nofollow - https://news.sky.com/story/wales-rugby-why-are-players-threatening-to-go-on-strike-ahead-of-england-game-12812355#:~:text= 'Players%20want%20to%20be%20taking%20the%20field'&text=The%20Welsh%20Rugby%20Union%20(WRU,of%20sexism%2C%20homophobia%20and%20racism. |
Posted By: Mark W-J
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2023 at 07:40
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There are two problems that were being addressed last week. The first - and more important - is that the WRU haven't informed the regions of the amount of funding they will have for next season (they're supposedly working on a six-year funding agreement). This means that the regions have been unable to start contract negotiations with players who are out of contract at the end of the season. The players are concerned that, if they suffer a serious injury which could keep them out for 8-12 months or more - as has happened to Dmitri Arhip and Jack Dixon in recent weeks - they will be left out of a job, because nobody wants to sign a player who can't play, especially when money is so tight. The second issue - which was what the strike for the England game was about - was the players looking for resolution on three issues: the removal of the 60-cap rule; the players' union (WRPA) having a seat on the Professional Rugby Board, which is the body responsible for running professional rugby in Wales; and scrapping the proposed new contracts for Wales internationals which are 80% fixed and 20% based on win bonuses. Now, it's easy to say that Wales have been rubbish and they don't deserve to get paid so much, but if you look at the first test in SA last summer, which we led for 75 minutes before losing to a penalty with the clock in the red - do they players deserve to be paid 20% less for that amount of effort? And as well as those two problems, you've got the backdrop of the sexism and general behaviour of the dinosaurs at the WRU. It's not specifically related to the players' issues, but we need to get rid of them and bring in a proper professional board to run Welsh Rugby. If you look at their biographies, all of these people proudly advertise that they've been a member of their club for 50 years and bring that much experience to the table, but none of them has any experience in running a £100m business. |
Posted By: *Stalwart
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2023 at 10:01
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The problems you identify with those running Welsh rugby also apply to the RFU Mark. Will Carling's assessment all those years ago still applies to many of them it seems. Then you get people like Sweeney who did a hatchet job with the tennis federation then turns up at the RFU and makes a complete pig's ear of pretty much everything. The root of the problem, I reckon, is that they have zero interest in the game as a whole and are obsessed with the top flight and the national team - and they are both basket cases anyway! One thing that never seems to be mentioned is the brilliant community work the Championship clubs do in their localities - this is certainly the case at The Pirates and I'm sure it's so with most of the other clubs in this league. ------------- *Stalwart |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2023 at 10:07
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In the past the RFU was run by the elected officials on the council, and the clubs could theoretically replace them. Now it is run by the professional managers, with the council merely a rubber stamp. The question is how do you get rid of an appointed Executive. Which is why we need the clubs to submit calls for an SGM. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Mark W-J
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2023 at 22:59
| The latest I've heard on the Scrum V podcast is that there are maybe 25-30 players on central contracts which were 80% funded by the WRU, but the regions are now having to pay 100%. So if a player is on a contract worth £300k, this year the WRU have paid £240k and the region £60k, but from next season the region bears the full brunt. And yet the regions still don't know how much funding they have and are unable to offer contracts to players whose current deals expire in three months' time. |
Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2023 at 13:12
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/64839172" rel="nofollow - Welsh rugby: Player welfare concerns over squad size cuts
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