WRU to cut back on national contracts

THE Welsh Rugby Union is to slash the number of National Dual Contracts awarded to international players, writes Simon Thomas.

The move is a direct consequence of the 60-cap selection policy the governing body brought in last year aimed at stemming the loss of players from the domestic game.

Those with less than 60 Test appearances are no longer eligible to play for Wales unless they are based in Wales – a rule that has effectively ended the international career of scrum-half Rhys Webb.

Thirteen players will remain on their present NDCs next season, deals which are funded jointly by the WRU and regions on a 60-40 basis.

However, WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips has revealed the 60-cap policy means the union will soon focus the finance it sets aside for player wages on ‘repatriating and retaining’ the services of those with more than 60 caps, such as Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies and George North.

That means being able to offer such established star names even more lucrative contracts by reducing the number of deals the union hands out.

Phillips said: “We were clear when we made the change to the selection policy that it was interlinked with the NDCs. So there will be less players, but more high-profile ones in that pot.

“It will be more focused on retaining or repatriating the 60-cap plus players or people nearing that.

“They tend to be the more expensive players, so it helps the regions to have financial assistance with those players.

“There’s also a level of compensation to help them strengthen the squad for when those players are away on international duty.

“So I would imagine there might be seven, eight or nine players in the NDC group and that will be it in total. There will be fewer players who will be more expensive, the 60-cap group.

“The NDC pot will be useful in getting players in that group back to Wales and will also help manage them at the later stage of their careers.

“You want to give that player every chance to extend their career. So, it’s perfect for that player.”

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