I’M SURE PLAYERS WILL TAKE PAY CUT

...says North... but former Wales skipper warns of regional crisis

GEORGE North says he is sure Welsh players would be prepared to take a pay cut to keep the regions going in the face of the financial challenges presented by coronavirus.

With all rugby cancelled for the foreseeable future, there is a serious shortage of money coming into the game, making life very difficult for the four pro teams and the community clubs.

The regions are now having to discuss the prospect of pay cuts for players and staff because of the crisis, with several English and Irish sides having already been forced to reduce salaries.

In England, there is growing player unrest at the blanket 25 per cent pay cuts imposed and it could lead to Premiership clubs facing claims for unlawful deduction of wages.

But Ospreys and Wales winger North believes players in this country would be willing to accept salary reductions for the greater good.

He was speaking on the S4C progamme Rygbi Cymru a COVID-19 which looked at the impact the coronavirus outbreak is having on the Welsh game at all levels.

“If it meant keeping the league going and keeping the teams going, I’m sure a lot of boys would be happy to take a little pay cut to keep the team going for next season and the future,” said North.

“We’re just preparing for, hopefully, next season.”

Also interviewed for the programme, former Wales skipper Gwyn Jones delivered a dire warning over what the current unprecedented events could mean for the Ospreys, Scarlets, Cardiff Blues and the Dragons.

“The regions are in crisis when things are going well, in their financial situations,” he said.

“They are all suffering and something like this puts so much pressure on them.

“So if this continues for a length of time, as we all suspect, I don’t think there is a future for the regions unless things change or unless money comes, somehow from the WRU.”

The Union’s chief executive Martyn Phillips has said the goal is to come out the other side of the crisis with all the current teams – regions and clubs – still intact.

But, speaking on the S4C show, he admitted things would become very challenging if rugby’s lockdown continues for an extended period.

“If the autumn internationals were not to happen, then that gets enormously difficult,” said Phillips.

“To run with no income until Christmas or January next year, we couldn’t sustain that.

“I am not naive. There are 340 clubs.

“Do they all come out the other side? I don’t know.

“The longer it goes on, the more challenging it will become and the more action we will need to take.

“We would want a conversation with Welsh Government at some point.”