Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, March 16.
Wales players set deadline
Wales players have reportedly given Welsh rugby bosses a deadline of next Wednesday to sort out the contract mess that has led them to the point of considering strike action.
Furious senior stars met with WRU acting chief executive Nigel Walker yesterday and were told the proposed new financial and contract model going forward is what is required to make the game sustainable.
Players are angry about two main things. The first is more than 70 players still don't know if they have a future beyond the next few months amid a contract freeze caused by the inability of the WRU and four regions to reach a financial agreement. The second is the new-style contracts being brought in that will see players receive hugely reduced fixed salaries, with only the potential to earn more through bonuses.
The Daily Mail report a deadline was set and three main demands issued. They were to scrap the 60-cap rule, remove the fixed-variable element from contracts, which accounts for 20% of salaries, and give players a seat at Professional Rugby Board meetings.
Welsh players will meet with WRPA representatives in the next week to decide on next steps, with potential strike action still one option.
Captain speaks out
Cardiff Rugby captain and Wales international Josh Turnbull has publicly accused the WRU and regional bosses of lacking respect towards players.
Turnbull spoke out against the Professional Rugby Board amid the ongoing turmoil in the game that has pushed players to the brink of strike action.
In a statement he said: "I'd like to thank all supporters, from whatever club/region you support, for putting rivalries aside and uniting in support of players with "respect" - one of the key values on which the game has been built for as long as I've known.
"What the PRB have done over the past few months is show a complete lack of respect and empathy towards the players. There has been very little consultation or transparency throughout their process.
"Let me make it clear, this is not about what players earn (as some media and the PRB/WRU statement have suggested), it's the fact players don't know if they have a job in four months' time! This vulnerable and uncertain situation is causing severe stress and wellbeing issues for several players and this is increasing day by day.
"We are anxious about the lack of progress and no signed agreement, and time is rapidly running out. This needs to be sorted now!"
Would you support Welsh rugby players taking strike action amid contracts turmoil? Have your say here
England expect Wales siege mentality
England forwards coach Richard Cockerill believes that Wales' players will be galvanised by current off-field issues ahead of next week's Guinness Six Nations clash.
Player strike action is thought to be a possible option amid an ongoing contracts freeze in Welsh rugby.
A meeting is planned, scheduled in the next week, between Welsh Rugby Players' Association officials and players.
Recruitment is currently on hold for Wales' four professional regions of Cardiff, Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets, while budgets are not in place with a new financial agreement between the regions and Welsh Rugby Union yet to be confirmed in writing.
That has sparked concern that a sizeable number of players whose existing contracts expire at the end of this season will head away from Wales, with players and their families currently engulfed by uncertainty.
"I think if anything it will probably galvanise them because they have their issues," Cockerill said.
"I don't really understand what the politics of it is, but from my experience, any hardship with a playing group generally brings them tighter together.
"We will start to get into Wales next week. We will treat them with respect, as we always do.
"England have always found it difficult in Cardiff, but we are preparing and getting our minds purely around that. What Wales are doing with their players is not really our concern."
Wasps to play in Championship next season
By Duncan Bech, PA
Wasps have been given approval to take part in the Championship next season but there is no late reprieve for Worcester following their proposed rebranding as 'Sixways Rugby'.
While Wasps have met the conditions required to take part in the second tier of English rugby, talks held on Monday between Worcester's new owners Atlas, the Rugby Football Union and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport failed to break the deadlock.
Atlas announced last Thursday that the RFU's demands for inclusion in the Championship were too onerous, forcing them to instead pursue a merger with semi-professional Stourbridge in the hope of competing in the fourth tier.
Wasps and Worcester were placed into administration earlier in the season after being pursued for unpaid tax by HM Revenue and Customs, resulting in their removal from the Gallagher Premiership.
Tuesday was the deadline for the clubs' applications to join the Championship but while Wasps produced a signed solvency agreement and proof of funds, the RFU noted that Worcester's course of action meant creditors would go unpaid.
The governing body also has misgivings over Atlas' "transparency about ownership and funding structures".
"Our goal has consistently been to see Wasps and Worcester in the Championship and preserve the clubs for their fans and the wider communities they serve," RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said.
"While we had hoped to see both clubs in the Championship next season, we are pleased that following months of work from all parties involved, Wasps will have a place. We know this will be very welcome news to all those connected with the club.
"We would like to thank all those involved with Wasps for the open and collaborative dialogue over recent months.
"We appreciate the disappointment felt by Worcester Warriors staff, players and fans following the Atlas decision will be very significant.
"For a club to continue following insolvency, it is imperative that it has a sustainable and funded business plan, that there is transparency about ownership and funding structures, and that rugby creditors are paid.
"Payment of rugby creditors is an integral part of our insolvency regulations and we cannot approve the takeover of a club without agreement that rugby creditor payments will be made.
"Given Atlas's withdrawal from the process, we remain concerned that there are insufficient funds to pay rugby creditors.
"We will continue to work with Atlas over the coming weeks to understand their vision for rugby at Sixways.
"While the RFU is the regulator of rugby union, we have worked tirelessly to ensure we are making decisions that are best for the sport."
Players tell Netflix there are boundaries
England star Ellis Genge has revealed what it's been like having a Netflix film crew with the team during the Six Nations.
Netflix are filming a new docuseries, set to be released next year, entitled 'Six Nations'. Camera crews have been following every team.
The 'Baby Rhino', as he is nicknamed, was a guest on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast, where he was interviewed by former England stars James Haskell and Mike Tindall.
Now two weeks into the Six Nations campaign, the front-row has been able to get a flavour of what it's like having a camera documenting his work behind-the scenes.
"I don't know how much I can say to be honest, there was a few bits we had to iron out in terms of what could be seen and where you let cameras. It's quite new for rugby as a whole.
"Cameras are always frowned upon in general, but to be letting them behind the scenes during Test weeks when you're playing against all these other countries knowing that they've got other people filming in their camp as well, it's really tough to get around."
Haskell asked Genge whether there had been a time where the team weren't comfortable with something being filmed.
"There has been things where we've just said 'Look, you just can't film these bits.' For reasons that are no one's business I guess."
Read more:
English team could join WRU, merge with Welsh region and play in London under radical proposal
Wales players told they've been paid unaffordable salaries for years as WRU boss meets with squad
Wales international in stunning press conference address as he calls for end to 'civil war'
