Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, February 21.
Second player strike possible
Welsh rugby is facing the prospect of a second player strike, with regional players taking industrial action a "definite" possibility as well as Wales players doing the same while on Six Nations duty.
Wales squad players have demanded action on three issues by Wednesday, February 22, with their money-making Six Nations game against England three days later at risk. Demands include having a player voice on the Professional Rugby Board, scrapping the 60-cap rule and reviewing proposed variable elements of new contracts whereby 20% of a player's salary would come via win bonuses and the like.
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Now, Welsh Rugby Players' Association chair and Dragons winger Ashton Hewitt said "striking for every player in Wales" is not off the table if a formal six-year financial framework for Welsh rugby is not in place by February 28, after which the players' body may hold a ballot on the strike action of pro players across the regions.
All Wales-based players are employed by their individual regions - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - and a strike must be organised under employment law. International squad members are in a different category while representing their country.
"I think it's massively important and I don't think it's something that anyone [among the players] wants to budge on," Hewitt told BBC Sport Wales.
"One of my main concerns with the fixed variable is we've had the detail very late, we haven't been consulted on it well enough, and it's something they've been working on for nine-10 months - so we've been told. But we only received that contract at the start of January, end of December maybe.
"And we've been explained the detail in dribs and drabs, slowly, so there's been little understanding, players have been expected to accept it without really knowing the ins and outs of that contract. The little bit more detail that's come through, players aren't happy with it, and I think it's something players want real consultation on, and a real understanding of, to be told how they got to the numbers they've been getting to and why certain elements exist - and that's what players deserve."
He added: "I'm not sure why they can't get in the room and get it sorted and not leave that room until it's done, and I'd ask them to take a long hard look at the organisation and how it operates. I can't remember the last time I just concentrated on rugby. I think about Project Reset, the Covid cuts, and everything else, all the drama in Welsh rugby over the years, the boys just want to concentrate on rugby."
You can read the details of what is being offered to players and why they are unhappy here.
Wales cancel team announcement
Wales will not announce the team to play England at Noon today, as scheduled.
It comes with the game still in doubt amid threatened strike action from players. Warren Gatland is holding a press conference to explain the latest at 12.30pm which you can follow here..
England name their side on Thursday.
Would you support Welsh rugby players taking strike action amid contracts turmoil? Have your say here
'There needs to be more money invested in the pro game'
Cardiff captain Josh Turnbull believes the WRU need to invest more money into the professional game to give Wales' four teams a chance at being competitive..
Speaking to The Telegraph Rugby Podcast, 11-cap back-rower Turnbull urged the Professional Rugby Board and WRU to increase their investment.
“One of the reasons we are where we are is that the PRB believe they can go and do what they want,” Turnbull said. “It can get to the point where the players are going to have to stand up for themselves. If a strike on Saturday is what is needed – England-Wales, the biggest game of the year for both teams – the severity will be big for the whole game. The next hours and days are absolutely crucial.
"The players have stipulated their three key points. From my end, the only point I’d add is that the finances need to be reviewed. There needs to be more money invested in the pro game. You can’t be losing £2.5million [in budget per region] so we can’t compete. Look at Leinster and how well they are doing. They are probably spending somewhere between eight and 10 million quid.
“We’re just about on the edge of the URC play-offs at the moment. We’ve got a last-16 tie in the European Challenge Cup. But having £2.5 million off your budget is not going to do you any favours. This is where the WRU need to have a look at themselves as far as what they are funding. At the end of the day, the players are the product. When you have regional teams competing, the Wales team is going to be competing.”
Premiership Rugby review of club finances takes step forward
Premiership Rugby has appointed Sir Nigel Boardman to lead a review of the financial position of its current clubs.
It is a first step by the league's governing body to establish a financial monitoring panel, which will work in parallel with a new sporting commission that will take responsibility for key decisions made by the organisation.
The changes occur amidst criticism for Premiership Rugby last year over its part in two of its former clubs, Worcester and Wasps, being removed from the Gallagher Premiership in October for being placed into administration.
Boardman has previously led a Government inquiry and advised a range of sporting bodies during a lengthy career in corporate governance. He will begin work with Premiership Rugby later this month.
Premiership Rugby chair Martyn Phillips said: "Financial reform of professional elite rugby in England is at the top of Premiership Rugby's agenda and today's announcement is a significant step forward for us.
"When Worcester Warriors and Wasps went into administration it was a devastating blow to two communities and professional rugby in England.
"Sir Nigel will begin a vital process that will see the establishment of a Financial Monitoring Panel (FMP), supported by a fit for purpose regulatory framework, to have better oversight of Premiership clubs' financials and to put necessary safeguards in place to ensure our clubs become financially stronger and more sustainable in the future.
"To have secured someone of Sir Nigel's calibre to lead this review is a major boost to our strategy.
"Once the review is carried out we will form a Financial Monitoring Panel to ensure clubs become financially stronger and protect the integrity of Premiership Rugby and its stakeholders."
An announcement on Premiership Rugby's sporting commission will be made in due course with it set to be formed of independent members, including former players.
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