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Players to be offered 'conditional contracts' in Wales

(Photo by Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images)

Amid fears of a player exodus in Wales, the Professional Rugby Board has confirmed that negotiations will begin in the new year on a ‘conditional basis’ following a meeting with the Welsh Rugby Players Association.

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With contract negotiations frozen in the Welsh regions at the moment due to funding issues, the Dragons have already seen Wales lock Will Rowlands confirm his departure at the end of the season, and the worry is that many more will follow suit.

But the PRB revealed in a statement today that following the verbal agreement over funding that has been made, conditional contracts will be offered to players in the intervening time before the agreement is formalised and is signed by all parties.

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This verbal agreement involves a “six-year-framework which details significantly enhanced WRU funding expectations from distributable monies, club commercial performance, URC media rights, new debt and shareholder investment.”

The PRB also expressed their regret over the “concern” caused amongst “player, their agents, and supporters” during this ordeal.

The statement reads: “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.

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“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.”

These look to be promising signs for Welsh rugby both on and off the pitch going into the new year. Obviously the major change going into 2023 is the return of Warren Gatland at the helm of the national team, but there seems to be progress off the pitch as well.

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J
JW 15 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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