Wales players could throw their Six Nations match with England into jeopardy if they vote to strike.
England are due to take on Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, February 25 but internal strife across the border has put that clash in doubt.
Welsh rugby’s state of crisis could crank up significantly amid mobilisation from professional players at all levels in the country.
The Welsh regions are still unable to make plans on contracts and finalise squads for next season, amid extended financial uncertainty at governing body the WRU.
Allegations of sexism and misogyny led to WRU chief executive Steve Phillips resigning last month.
Nigel Walker has stepped into the breach as interim CEO, but the WRU has still been unable to plot a course to the future.
The WRU took out a £20million loan in the Covid-19 pandemic, splitting those funds between all four regions.
Cardiff, Ospreys, Scarlets and the Dragons must now pay their £5million share back in 20 years, amid 10 per cent annual interest rates.
The regions will face budget cuts for next season as a result, but no financial agreements are in place for next term.
Scores of players in Wales remain out of contract at the end of the season, with new deals still not appearing in sight any time soon.
The Welsh regions are braced for a clutch of exits, with players looking at options in England and beyond.
The unprecedented state of flux has led players in Wales to examine their options to force the WRU’s hand.
And that has reached the point of crisis talks, including the discussion of a potential strike.
Wales bosses will be confident of quelling the discontent in time for next weekend’s England clash.
And head coach Warren Gatland will doubtless be demanding an end to the atmosphere of uprising without delay.
Wales have suffered heavy defeats by both Ireland and Scotland to open their Six Nations and Gatland’s second stint as head coach, with players no doubt distracted by uncertain futures.
England will press on with preparations for their third-round Six Nations encounter regardless, with Bath prop Will Stuart fit again and in contention to return after a dislocated elbow.
Jack Willis starred in Sunday’s 31-14 win over Italy at Twickenham, in his first Test start for two years, but the Toulouse flanker could find his long-term international future in doubt again.
England are unlikely to let Willis continue to feature for the Test team if he continues to ply his trade in France beyond the autumn’s World Cup.
Willis has been given special dispensation to feature for England as his move to France was a direct result of Wasps falling into administration.
Toulouse want to keep the 26-year-old beyond the summer, but he may have to take a cut-price deal at a Premiership club to keep his Test career alive.
