The Welsh Rugby Union could miss out on a Six Nations prize money windfall if Wales finish bottom of the table.
Wales' shambolic Six Nations has already had a negative effect on the WRU coffers, reducing the amount of prize money on offer by not challenging at the top of the table with the winners earning £6million, but a wooden spoon would be the worst-case scenario.
Welsh rugby is in the midst of a financial crisis, with player wages set to be cut dramatically next season while the budgets of all four professional regions will eventually drop to £4.5m.
READ MORE: Former WRU boss David Moffett urges Wales to cut a region quickly or whole game will implode
While Wales are out of contention for the Six Nations title, there would be financial consequences should they suffer a first whitewash since 2003. The difference between finishing fifth and last, for example, is £500,000.
With two challenging away fixtures remaining in Italy and France, defeat could have serious ramifications on the regional game.
Any revenue the WRU makes at Test level goes into the central pot, and anything left over after money spent on overheads and the £11.5m which is ringfenced for community clubs is spent on the professional game.
Here, we break down the prize money for each finishing position in the Guinness Six Nations:
- Winner - £6m
- Runner-up - £3.5m
- Third place - £2.5m
- Fourth place - £2m
- Fifth place - £1.5m
- Sixth place - £1m
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