Sam Cross: 'I feel it's important the fans and public know the truth'

Ospreys flanker Sam Cross has claimed that the Welsh Rugby Union held out on the funding of player wages in favour of boosting the corporate hospitality facilities at the Principality Stadium.

Wales players had threatened to go on strike prior this weekend’s Guinness Six Nations game with England in Cardiff, which was called off late on Wednesday. Professional players in Wales had been left without any clarity over contracts, with as many as 70 players set to go off contract at the end of the current season.

After much discussion, Welsh rugby officials and players eventually reached compromises on controversial matters such as the 60-cap selection policy for players who play outside of Wales, as well as fixed-variable contracts across the regional game.

Cross took to Twitter on Friday afternoon, claiming the regions will only be allowed to contract 44 players, while the WRU are favouring keeping £4.8 million for the improvement of their corporate hospitality.

“Meeting on weds [Wednesday] we were told by the WRU that the budget allows squad sizes to be 44 players. After asking regional reps at the meeting in front of the Union the regions on the new budget can only afford 34-36 players due to issues like being tied to current deals and the drop off in money being to[sic] steep to [sic] quickly,” wrote the former Great Britain Sevens silver medalist.

“Take into consideration on average 10 players injured at any one time and Ospreys currently having 14 boys with Wales and 4/5 boys with Wales 20s you’re struggling to even field a senior 15. The regions need more funding this is a huge player safety issue and squads need depth and the ability to retain their current talent.

“The union is sitting on a pot of 4.8 million that they’re reluctant to put into the game that could save welsh rugby. But players were told that 4.8 million is being used to improve things like corporate hospitality at the stadium.

“You can imagine the players’ frustration, there will be no need for corporate hospitality if things continue in the pro game the game needs proper investment not money taken out.”

Current state of Welsh Rugby as I feel it’s important the fans and public know the truth .. pic.twitter.com/LuzM6b3OLc

— Sam Cross (@SCrossy) February 24, 2023

Cross was part of the GB sevens team at 2016 Olympics that claimed silver, losing to Fiji in the final after sweeping aside Japan, New Zealand and Kenya in the pool stage before defeating Argentina and South Africa in the knockouts.