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How Wales fans have reacted online to players' strike threat
By Liam Heagney
Former Wales back-rower Sam Cross believes the online reaction to the player strike threat ahead of the Guinness Six Nations match with England has highlighted the bright side of Welsh rugby. It emerged on Tuesday evening that all professional players in Wales, including those in the national squad under Warren Gatland, are to hold a crunch meeting where a possible strike will be discussed.
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The acrimony stems from the stalemate in talks between the WRU and four regional teams over a new budgetary deal that had yet to be signed, leaving players who are out of contract at the end of the 2022/23 season in limbo.
It was reported by Sportsmail that one Wales player had turned to antidepressants while another had a mortgage offer turned down because he is soon to be out of contract. Cross, who was capped twice at Test level in November 2017 after making the switch to XVs following his 2016 Olympics 7s medal with Britain, is in his sixth season with Ospreys.
He tweeted: “Amazing support from the fans towards the players shows the bright side of Welsh rugby. All players are asking for is a fair deal and highlight the failure of PRB to properly consult us on issues that impact upon players’ well-being financially, physically and mentally.”
He added: “It’s time players stood up for ourselves and the WRPA had a seat on the PRB allowing us to have a voice in our own futures and on how the game is run going forward.”
We’re all behind you, Sam.
We’ll support you all in whatever you need to do to ensure you get a fair deal. ??— Ospreys Supporters (@OspreysSC) February 14, 2023
The reported strike threat ahead of the February 25 round three Six Nations game at home to England in Cardiff naturally became a huge talking point on social media after the story broke. Below is a cross-section of the multiple responses it generated:
“Solidarity to all Welsh rugby players affected by the ongoing contract uncertainty. They have been badly let down. They deserve better.”
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“All for the strike, I hope they do it and more importantly, they see all the support for it from everyone, not just Wales fans like us. Feels like it could be a real watershed moment, WRU needs to be ripped up and started again. Now’s the time.”
“If they want to strike against their employers, their region, then they have the right to do so! That’s not what they are considering! They are considering not playing for their country! It’s not going to have maximum impact, Wales will still field a team!!”
“I think the strike is for all professionals in Wales. So effectively they are striking against the regions. It just so happens, for maximum impact, that it coincides with the second biggest game of the year for the national side.”
“It’s not a strike against Wales though, is it? There’s no questioning their love of country. It’s a strike against the WRU and the way the game is run in this country. The difference needs to be very clear.”
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“If Wales’ players do indeed go on strike how does it work? Most strikes are designed to create maximum disruption, so would rugby players strike on matchdays? I can’t imagine players forfeiting games and yet it is the only day of the week that will cause disruption.”
“Everybody out! Things are bad. Things are really bad. The year 2023 will, in all likelihood, prove to be a watershed year for the Welsh Rugby Union.”
“Welsh Rugby Union players 2 go on strike? No Wales vs England Saturday week? The WRU have just put ticket prices up to £125 Almost £1.50 a minute. With 75 players in the region out of contract. It needs sorting now.”
“I’d love to see players being well paid but I’m not sure that the Welsh economy can support four full regional squads. English and French clubs have private funding that we just don’t have in Welsh rugby. Some countries have the support of regional and national governments.”
“Wales players will not strike and cause the England game to be called off. It’s just not going to happen.”
“The Valleys have been striking ever since this unviable farce of pretend regions that excluded them and North Wales was created. A worthy strike would be in support of Gatland’s call for integrated, inclusive regions for all – like Ireland.”
“WRU seem intent on killing rugby in Wales. Players and their families’ livelihoods are at stake, but that doesn’t matter to them. Wouldn’t trust them to organise a piss-up in a brewery. The players should 100 per cent strike.”
