There has never been a more turbulent time in Welsh rugby, and that is saying something given its past is filled with such drama and acrimony.
But the current financial crisis, strike threats and general disharmony at the top of the game in this country have made for a remarkably unstable landscape.
While the Wales v England match may have been saved, there are more twists and turns ahead in the coming days, weeks and months.
From today, WalesOnline rugby newsletter subscribers will get an exclusive weekly update from rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas, getting to the heart of what is happening behind the scenes.
There's never been a better time to keep yourself informed on what's really going on in the board rooms and dressing rooms of Welsh rugby.
You can read the first special newsletter below and sign up for future sends by clicking here now. It's completely free.
"The penny has dropped in all quarters that Welsh rugby cannot afford four professional sides"
By Steffan Thomas
From the outside, the life of a rugby journalist can seem rather glamorous, getting paid to watch live sport and interviewing famous players. But the reality is, on a day to day basis, it can be fairly monotonous with similar lines getting spouted in press conference after press conference.
However, last week was the polar opposite as Welsh rugby erupted into total chaos with the game in its most unstable position since former chief executive David Moffett introduced regional rugby back in 2003. Last Wednesday's extraordinary meeting at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel, which saw nearly every professional player in Wales turn up to face the game's powerbrokers was like a comedy sketch. I was with a group of journalists who were effectively camped at the Vale Hotel from 9am on Wednesday.
As the day progressed, players began to trickle into the hotel while journalists were getting briefed left, right, and centre by various sources. The tension was palpable and when the chair of the Professional Rugby Board Malcolm Wall, along with acting Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Nigel Walker, exited the room with gloomy faces, the prospect of a strike ahead of last weekend's Six Nations clash with England seemed a very real possibility.
Thankfully, the unthinkable scenario of abandoning a test match versus the old enemy was averted, with the PRB and the players reaching a compromise. But let me be very clear, we aren't even close to reaching the end point yet. In normal circumstances relationships between the players and the media have been shaky at the best of times but this could be a watershed moment in Welsh rugby history.
Many players are fearing for their very futures with wages set to be dramatically reduced in a bid to make Welsh rugby more sustainable. One international player even told this journalist he was considering quitting and pursuing an alternative career while also playing semi-professional rugby in the Welsh Premiership.
The player in question is about to see his wages plummet from £170,000 to £35,000, and he has worked out his earnings would be higher if he just quit to combine an average job with a semi-professional contract. He was also quick to point out there aren't as many opportunities in England and France as there used to be with the middle tier of players getting affected the most. Another high ranking Welsh rugby figure told me both Wall and Walker got thoroughly grilled by the players during Wednesday's meeting.
The players are not stupid by any stretch of the imagination, while many are beginning to question how both the WRU and the regions have been spending their money. Questions around whether the WRU could take on the £20million Covid loan themselves and whether they could invest more money in pro rugby were asked.
The penny has also dropped in all quarters that Welsh rugby cannot afford four professional sides, even if the union did plough more money into the regions. They may play a straight bat in public but it is actually the preference of both the WRU and the regions to go down to three sides. Who goes and how we get there, however, is another matter entirely. Things really are going to get even more turbulent over the coming months. It's not over yet. Not by a long way.
Thanks for reading and please feel free to get in touch with any feedback.
Read more:
What Wales are actually trying to do under Gatland and why it's not working
The major Welsh rugby transfer stories about to unfold and what's going to happen
