Acting Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Nigel Walker has warned Wales' four regions he will "hold their feet to the fire" if they don't offer players contracts by the end of next week.
Cardiff, Dragons RFC, the Ospreys, and the Scarlets have been in negotiations with the WRU over a new long-term funding framework since last summer, with the Professional Rugby Board seeing fit to put a freeze on offering player contracts.
The uncertainty around the players' long-term futures almost led to a strike this week but a compromise was agreed at the eleventh hour.
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A long-form agreement was given to the regions last week and Walker has told them they must start contracting players by the end of next week.
"The regions have signed up to giving them contracts by the end of next week," he told the BBC. "If that doesn't happen I will be holding their feet to the fire. Make no mistake about that."
However, WalesOnline understands the WRU is yet to agree its payment to the regions for next season, so all contracts are being offered at the risk of the regional benefactors.
As part of the concessions the PRB have agreed to lower toe 60-cap rule to 25, have given Welsh Rugby Players Association chief executive Gareth Lewis a seat on the PRB, while they have also given players a choice between a fixed-term contract, and a fixed element contract.
Former Wales wing Walker admits he understands the players' frustrations, and is hopeful of a more collaborative approach in the future.
"I can understand why the players were as frustrated as they were," he said. "The negotiations have gone on for far too long. The regions and the Welsh Rugby Union admit that they've gone on for far too long.
"The players have been waiting, they've been in limbo, and they have been frustrated. They let me know how frustrated they were and that's why we reached the situation we were in seven or eight days ago.
"The proof of the pudding is in the eating obviously, but Gareth Lewis, the chief executive of the WRPA. will have a seat at the table, and in addition to that, I have said that I will meet with Ken Owens and two or three other senior players on a regular basis to make sure we don't find ourselves in the position we were in last week in the future."
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