Warren Gatland breaks silence on strike threat to England game

Wales head coach Warren Gatland would not support his players if they decided to strike ahead of their Guinness Six Nations clash with England.

The possibility has been mooted amid the ongoing uncertainty caused by Welsh rugby’s professional contracts freeze.

But asked if he would support his players if they decided not to play against England, Gatland said: “No.

“I completely support the stance that they’re taking in terms of wanting to get some resolution of the issues that they have, but I think there’s a lot more involved, a lot of things at stake in terms of ensuring that that fixture does take place.

“Like I’ve said, I’m supportive of the players and the things that they’re trying to do, and my role is just to prepare the team for next week.”

Gatland said he had “no idea” if one of his players was taking anti-depressants as a result of the situation amid reports that was the case, and insisted he would not expect to be informed of such confidential information by his medical staff.

He said: “Absolutely not. That would be a breach of confidentiality.”

However, Gatland insisted the situation had not affected the way his players have been training.

He said: “The players have been great in the last few days in terms of the way they’ve [trained].

“They’ve got a side issue or a separate issue that they want sorting, but when it’s come to the rugby in terms of preparing for the game, they’ve been fantastic in the way that they’ve prepared in the last few days.

“Obviously there’s been ongoing discussions with them and hopefully with the union and the PRGB (Professional Regional Game Board) to get things sorted out.”

He added: “I’m in complete support of the players in terms of the WRPA, which to me in my time here has been incredibly weak as an organisation, and I’ve stressed on a number of occasions to the players that they need to be stronger, they need to have more voices, they need to be around the table from a consultation point of view.

“From that regard, I think it’s a huge positive for the players and that relationship with the union going forward because they need to be part of all the discussions that take place.

“I’m sure the players, like us, would like things resolved hopefully as quickly as possible.”

A new financial agreement between the regions and the Welsh Rugby Union has still to be confirmed in writing, sparking concern that a sizeable number of players whose contracts expire at the end of this season will head away from Wales, with a huge sense of uncertainty currently engulfing them and their families.

“What is deeply concerning is that until the long-form agreement is signed and active, no players’ futures are guaranteed,” the WRPA said in a statement.

“This is having a profound effect on players – especially those out of contract – and is placing unacceptable strain on mental health and overall wellbeing.

“Strike action is something that we wish to see avoided as a players’ union and our members want to be taking the field as they always have.

“But clearly, the anxiety caused by the situation is now affecting the lives and profession of players.

“Players have had enough. This is not a game of ‘Championship Manager’.”

Negotiations on the future of the professional game in Wales are handled by the Professional Rugby Board (PRB), which comprises representatives from each of the regions, acting WRU chief executive Nigel Walker, WRU finance director Tim Moss and two independent members, including chair Malcolm Wall.

Walker met with senior members of the Wales squad on Wednesday “to further clarify the current position”.

The WRU then issued a statement, in which Wall said: “The new agreement offers a complete funding package to the professional game in Wales, but it does come with financial limitations which will directly affect salary negotiations.

“The cold facts are that the WRU and clubs have been paying salaries that their businesses cannot afford, so the new agreement establishes a new framework for contract negotiations.

“The average salary of a Welsh professional rugby player under the new framework will be around £100k-per-year.”

The WRPA, though, criticised the publishing of the statement, which was released while the Wales squad trained at their Vale of Glamorgan base.

“The WRPA is extremely disappointed at the publishing of a statement by PRB and the way it portrays the players within Wales and ongoing WRPA relations with the PRB,” the players’ organisation added.

“Players feel let down, that once again they are the ones that are being leveraged.

“We urge all involved at PRB to prioritise fair agreement urgently and to acknowledge the position and wellbeing of the game’s main assets, which are its players. A satisfactory resolution must be found swiftly, so that all parties can move forward.”

Meanwhile the head of communications and marketing at Cardiff Rugby has hit out at 'smug, uninformed and insensitive comments' that have been aimed at players in recent days.

Mike Brown wrote: "The mind boggles at some of the smug, uninformed and insensitive comments directed at players.

"It may be a privileged position with higher salaries than most but it comes with significant risk, is a short career and regardless, there are existing mortgages and bills to foot."

additional reporting RugbyPass