More Wales dual contracts on way, says WRU chief Roger Lewis

Ospreys flanker Dan Lydiate is one of six players to have signed a dual contract so far

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis says that further dual contracts are imminent.

So far Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, Jake Ball, Tyler Morgan, Hallam Amos and Rhodri Jones have signed the new deals.

Under the Rugby Services Agreement, the WRU pays 60% of the deal and the signing Welsh region the remainder.

"Work continues with the national contracts and we will be making further announcements over the coming week and weeks," Lewis told BBC Wales Sport.

The creation of dual contracts was part of a £60m deal between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and regions over funding and governance of the game in Wales.

The WRU holds the primacy of the contracts with players being released for an agreed number of games for their region.

In November 2014 It was announced that flanker Lydiate, who left French side Racing Metro to take up a dual contract at Ospreys, was one of 12 players to be offered one of the new style deals.

Lewis said that he expects players who have been offered dual contracts to have concluded negotiations by the start of this season's Six Nations championship.

"Prior to that kick-off on the 6th of February against England you will see more players signed on a national dual-contract," Lewis added.

"We've succeeded in what is a fundamental, long-term strategic position for the benefit of Welsh rugby.

"So we've got those players already contracted, I'm particularly excited that we've got the future of Welsh rugby, the likes of Tyler Morgan and Hallam Amos... but also Jake Ball who's such a young player, alongside the likes of Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate."

The creation of dual contracts was part of a £60m deal between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and regions over funding and governance of the game in Wales.