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Gatland responds to Tuesday's called-off Wales team announcement

By PA
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Warren Gatland is confident Wales’ clash with England on Saturday will go ahead and hopes the dispute between his players and the WRU will be resolved on Tuesday. Wales’ players have threatened to go on strike over a contract dispute, placing the Guinness Six Nations showdown in Cardiff in doubt. When asked if he was confident it would go ahead, Gatland said: “Absolutely, yeah.

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“I’m hearing positive things from both sides. I’m confident that with the discussions taking place that it will get resolved today. There have been half a dozen meetings over the last few days or so.”

Gatland postponed Wales’ team announcement – which was due at lunchtime on Tuesday – until Thursday because of the stand-off. When asked if he had been given assurances the round three match at the Principality Stadium would take place, Gatland replied: “Not at the moment.”

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Wales summon historic press conference amid talk of players striking during Six Nations

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    Wales summon historic press conference amid talk of players striking during Six Nations

    Talks between negotiators of a new six-year financial agreement – the professional rugby board – and Welsh professional players had been due to take place on Wednesday. The players want Wales’ minimum 60-cap selection rule for those plying their trade outside the country to be scrapped, a voice at PRB meetings, and a review of proposed fixed-variable contracts.

    Those contracts would guarantee a player only 80 per cent of their salary, with the remaining 20 per cent comprising bonuses, and is the players’ major grievance. No long-form agreement between the WRU and Wales’ four professional regions – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – has yet been agreed in writing, meaning players whose contracts expire at the end of this season currently cannot be offered new deals.

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    Gatland insisted that the dispute could provide additional motivation as Wales look to claim their first win of the Six Nations after suffering comprehensive defeats in their opening two fixtures against Ireland and Scotland. It is the first time in 16 years that Wales have lost their first two championship games, while three defeats from the start last happened during their 2003 Six Nations campaign under head coach Steve Hansen.

    “Hopefully everyone will turn up on Thursday raring to go on Saturday. It’s been a bit of a challenge but sometimes that galvanises people and brings them together,” he said. “In fairness to the players, at training this morning they put their training heads on and trained well. We had a good week last week in terms of working the players incredibly hard and they responded well to that.

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    “There are big things going on, we are aware of that, but we are pleased with how they have trained. Discussions are taking place today and hopefully, the players will be happy with the outcome. Things will hopefully get resolved today and we can just focus on the game on Saturday.”

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    Comments

    2 Comments
    C
    Chris 773 days ago

    England will be licking their lips, incredibly distracted team. Fired Pivac for what? Losing narrowly to Australia who btw ran Ireland and France very close.

    A
    Alex 773 days ago

    It's beyond absurd that the WRU is in this position. If I have my data correct they bring in the same or maybe a bit more than the IRFU. No one is paying to see the board members or a fancy hotel. We pay to see the players and the players should be getting paid.

    I'm an England supporter, I really want to see the match played on Saturday but I 100% support the Welsh players if they feel they need to strike to send the proper message.

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    Yes that’s what WR needs to look at. Football had the same problem with european powerhouses getting all the latin talent then you’re gaurenteed to get the odd late bloomer (21/22 etc, all the best footballers can play for the country much younger to get locked) star changing his allegiance.


    They used youth rep selection for locking national elifibilty at one point etc. Then later only counted residency after the age of 18 (make clubs/nations like in this case wait even longer).


    That’s what I’m talking about, not changing allegiance in rugby (were it can only be captured by the senior side), where it is still the senior side. Oh yeah, good point about CJ, so in most cases we probably want kids to be able to switch allegiance, were say someone like Lemoto could rep Tonga (if he wasn’t so good) but still play for Australia’s seniors, while in someone like Kite’s (the last aussie kid to go to France) case he’ll be French qualified via 5 years residency at the age of 21, so France to lock him up before Aussie even get a chance to select him. But if we use footballs regulations, who I’m suggesting WR need to get their a into g replicating, he would only start his 5 years once he turns 18 or whatever, meaning 23 yo is as soon as anyone can switch, and when if they’re good enough teams like NZ and Aus can select them (France don’t give a f, they select anybody just to lock them).

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