GARETH PAY WAIL

Wales hero’s warning

GARETH ANSCOMBE says Wales’ Grand Slam heroes will be forced to consider moves to the English Premiership if their salaries do not improve.

Warren Gatland’s side sealed a first Six Nations clean sweep since 2012 and their third under their New Zealand head coach after brushing Ireland aside in Cardiff on Saturday.

Gatland’s latest triumph was achieved despite the Welsh Rugby Union and the country’s four regions in protracted talks over ‘Project Reset’ – the future format for Welsh rugby.

A proposed merger between the Ospreys and Scarlets was scrapped, leaving players unable to agree new deals with their employers. Fly-half Anscombe’s contract with Cardiff Blues runs out at the end of the season.

He believes the players deserve better, especially given Wales are now 14 matches unbeaten, Grand Slam and Triple Crown winners and ranked No.2 in the world.

Anscombe said: “It’s been tough with what is going on in Welsh rugby. We all want to play for Wales, no doubt about that, but players need to be treated well. “We are doing a hell of a lot for the team and the country so we should be looked after. Players deserve to get the best deals possible.

“It’s not what you want to be dealing with as a player, but I’ve just been trying to focus on playing well for Wales.

‘‘I’ve got a decision to make shortly and hopefully we’ll have news soon.”

The WRU plans to introduce a new banding system for player payments.

But that is unpopular with top players, who feel it limits their earning potential.

Anscombe, for example, could earn far more than the £350,000-a-year basic salary he earns with the Blues and Wales should he switch to play in England.

Cardiff want Anscombe to stay, but Bath and Harlequins have expressed an interest in him.

Asked if he had thought about moving to England, Anscombe admitted: “It has made all the boys think about that.

‘‘We’ve only got a 10-year window to really look after ourselves and you don’t want to look back with regrets.

“At times when the WRU try and pigeon hole you into something it’s a little bit frustrating. We’re a world-class team and we deserve to be where we are. We’re not far off beating anyone and we’re No.2 in the world now so hopefully that gets reciprocated both ways.

“We’ve given the union something to be pretty proud of.

“Hopefully we can put this mess behind us and the regions can come together to sort out the best deals for all the players.”