Professional players at Wales' four regions will be offered conditional contracts while the recruitment freeze remains in place.
Players across Wales have been up in arms over the current embargo on signing contracts, with many considering moving to England or France.
The regions will now be able to discuss conditional contract offers for players of the four professional sides, but they will not be able to sign a legal contract until a deal is completed at Professional Rugby Board level.
The Welsh Rugby Union and the regions have been at loggerheads for the past few months but have verbally agreed a new six-year funding framework which has yet to be signed. Concerned members of the Welsh Rugby Players Association met with the Professional Rugby Board this week.
They were shared details of the new six-year funding framework which details significantly enhanced WRU funding expectations from distributable monies, club commercial performance, United Rugby Championship media rights, new debt and shareholder investment.
This funding model sits at the centre of a root and branch review of the men's professional game, from pathways and academies to professional regions and the men's national team.
The WRPA were outlined the principles for player contract negotiations for the four regional sides, which the regions aim to begin anew in the new year on a conditional basis.
The conditional requirement is included to provide reassurance to players in the time between the recent verbal agreement being reached as described and a full formal agreement being signed by all parties, endorsed by the WRU board, regional boards and relevant banking consents being received.
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A joint statement from PRB members, the WRU and four regions, said: "The new contract in draft form will be shared with the WRPA shortly.
"The PRB understands delays in reaching verbal agreement and the time required to process legal documentation have prevented the Regions from contracting some players for future seasons. The concern caused amongst players, their agents, and supporters is hugely regrettable, but it is important that this is done correctly.
"This is why we aim to offer conditional contracts, giving players details of their individual offer. Further updates on this initiative will be provided to the WRPA next week. There is still much to do, but the PRB will continue to work together with the WRPA for the benefit of all parties."
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