Welsh players set for long-term pay cuts
WALES’ leading players have been told long-term pay cuts will be required and that they must play their part in helping to safeguard the future of Welsh rugby.
Coronavirus has had a catastrophic impact on the finances of the Welsh Rugby Union and their four regions – Dragons, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets.
A loss of £50m is expected by the WRU if no more international rugby is played this year and the governing body are taking significant steps to alleviate what is a perilous financial situation.
That included temporary pay cuts of 25 per cent for players which were announced in April. Sensitive talks between the WRU and the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association remain ongoing over permanent reductions.
“Everybody is taking cuts including the players,” WRU chairman Gareth Davies told TRP. “We want everyone to come out of this intact. In order to do that everybody has to contribute. Nobody should be immune from the problems we are facing. I’d like to think everything is transparent with the way Martyn Phillips (WRU chief executive) has been dealing with this through the WRPA and the senior players.”
TRP understands Wales’ players know the severity of the financial issues impacting Welsh rugby, but the discussions on permanent salary cuts are complex and far from finalised.
A final figure of what percentage pay cut they will take is yet to be decided, but TRP understands it is set to be brought in for an initial period of 12 months.
Its implementation would amount to a breach of contract for players whose deals are yet to expire and they are understandably reluctant to see their terms changed.
Players would have the option of rejecting a pay cut and walking away to seek alternative offers, but financial problems are not just limited to Wales.
The WRPA are seeking further clarity on how the WRU will quantify the percentage of any pay cut, but the brutal reality for them is it is required for Welsh rugby to continue.
“The players can see exactly where the money comes from and where it goes,” Davies continued. “I’m sure they will be acutely aware of the serious financial issues we are facing at the moment. I’d like to think everybody will contribute to us getting out the other side and that commonsense will prevail.”
Davies and Phillips will take part in World Rugby’s Professional Game Forum on Tuesday to finalise when, or if, outstanding Test matches will be played in 2020.
They will also attempt to align all parties in a bid to secure a global calendar.
Davies acknowledges it is now or never to get agreement across the game after further Six Nations and British & Irish Lions meetings last week. “We want to sort this out. We still haven’t had confirmation the southern hemisphere travelling to the north definitely won’t happen this autumn,” he said.
“Everyone wants to play rugby and we need to. The problem in terms of trying to align everybody contains three elements. You have north vs south, club vs country, and what we do about the developing countries. We’ve ticked off the first box – the north and south are in agreement.
“The clubs made a case they had perhaps not been consulted which I think is partly true. The RFU have been talking to Premiership Rugby Limited for three or four months.
“They’ve been brought to the table and while the reaction wasn’t positive, there are now talks going on between the federations in France and England and their respective leagues.
“This is a chance for the international window to be firmed up in October and November and to have meaningful competitions that will be attractive to broadcasters and fans alike.
“Then you have a good run at domestic competitions where players aren’t having to leave every three or four weeks to go into an international camp. I think the clubs in England get that part of it, but the French seem more reluctant. The comment from them was we can’t possibly think about playing our rugby in August and in the summer, but they do now.
“They start playing in August and play to mid June. The Lions have been prepared to take a small hit in certain areas and we all have to look at this seriously. I’ve been involved in rugby at various levels off and on for many and this is a golden opportunity.
“There is a battle here between club and country. If we can sort this out it would benefit the clubs, the international federations, and then the community game because everything flows down.”