‘WE’D SUPPORT ANY STRIKE 100 PER CENT’

This crisis has probably been brewing since 2015, although most would argue it’s been going on a lot longer than that. Now everything is coming to a head, primarily through the incompetence of the Welsh

Rugby Union. i have the feeling they are not negotiating with the regions in good faith and would like them to fail.

The comments by professional rugby board chair Malcolm Wall, when he was asked by Josh Turnbull what the plan is to make regional rugby a success in the future, were unacceptable. he basically admitted the plan is to keep the regions’ heads above water. if i was in a similar situation to the players, where my job security isn’t guaranteed in the future, then i would be on strike, so i am 100 per cent behind them.

i can’t understand why Welsh rugby just goes from crisis to crisis.

i was 13 when regional rugby began. i am now 33 so it’s a big frustration that the same skeletons keep on being dug up. Until a strong plan to support the game within Wales is produced that means we’re winning in Europe, then i can see me being asked for my thoughts again when i’m 40!

Gareth Harris, 59, is a Scarlets fan who travelled to watch Wales at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

I do support the players in their actions and, if it comes to it, a strike. They’ve been treated poorly for too long. The WRU have had plenty of time to resolve this and they haven’t helped the professional teams, either. sadly, the crisis has been years in the making.

Ricky Harries, 37, is a Scarlets season-ticket holder from Llanelli and a Wales fan.

i’M GUTTED by the situation. No one wins.

This is supposed to be professional rugby and the way it is being run is anything but. As a scarlets fan, the threat of us losing our best players because of the failure of the WRU and the regions to come to an agreement is just awful. it’s getting me worked up.

The stuff i’m hearing is just embarrassing, a horror story. i would 100 per cent support the players if they strike. Jack dixon’s comments about how the uncertainty is affecting them and the risk of injury really hit home.

They are rugby players and privileged to be so, but it’s also their livelihood. A strike for the England game would hit the WRU hard. it’s perfect timing to play the ultimate bargaining chip.

n ENGLAND were dealt a double blow yesterday when Manu Tuilagi was banned and the injured Tom Curry was ruled out of Saturday’s game against Wales.

Centre Tuilagi was handed a four-match suspension, which will come down to three when he attends tackle school, meaning he will miss the Tests against Wales and France. Flanker Curry has suffered a leg injury. His twin brother Ben has been called up as cover.