Welsh player contract freeze set to end in January with conditional offers

Most of the Wales squad are based in the country

Welsh rugby's freeze on player contract negotiations is set to end in January 2023 with conditional offers.

The Professional Rugby Board (PRB) has told the Welsh rugby players' body that the nation's four regions expect "significantly enhanced" Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) funding.

No details of that funding have been made public.

The PRB says the regions aim to begin new contract talks with individuals if financial guarantees are met.

New player deals will be made if the "enhanced funding" the regions expect via "distributable monies, club commercial performance, URC media rights, new debt and shareholder investment" is forthcoming.

In a statement, the PRB said: "The conditional requirement is included to provide reassurance to players in the time between the recent verbal agreement being reached as described and a full formal agreement being signed by all parties, endorsed by the WRU board, regional boards and relevant banking consents being received.

"The new contract in draft form will be shared with the WRPA (Welsh Rugby Players Association) shortly."

The news comes a day after WRU chief executive Steve Phillips admitted there are no long-term guarantees over the futures of Wales' four regional sides.

The PRB said it "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," the statement added.

"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."

Wales' professional teams - Dragons, Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets - recently agreed the "new six-year framework" which they hope can resolve the game's financial issues.

The WRPA had warned of players departing unless a freeze on contracts and recruitment is lifted.

The PRB consists of four regional representatives - Alun Jones (Cardiff Rugby), David Buttress (Dragons), the outgoing Nick Garcia (Ospreys), and Simon Muderack (Scarlets) - plus the WRU's Phillips, WRU finance director Tim Moss and two independent members, independent chair Malcolm Wall and Marianne Okland.

PRB meetings are also attended by WRU performance director Nigel Walker and the chair of the rugby management board, Jon Daniels.

Agreement among the regions came on the day Warren Gatland returned as Wales boss following Wayne Pivac's departure.

The WRPA has said some of its members were "reluctantly seeking security elsewhere" amid uncertainty about the sport's financial future.

Since then, Wales lock Will Rowlands' exit from Dragons at the end of the season has been confirmed, leaving doubts over his availability for the 2023 World Cup.

Uncapped, England-qualified Cardiff centre Max Llewellyn is also set to move, with Gloucester his reported destination.

Meanwhile speculation continues over the futures of Wales and Ospreys fly-half Gareth Anscombe and Cardiff prop Dillon Lewis.

The WRU chief executive

Steve Phillips took over as Welsh Rugby Union chief executive from Martyn Phillips

WRU boss Phillips believes the verbal agreement the PRB has reached will secure the future of the professional game in Wales.

"This agreement, when it is signed, is designed to ensure sustained success for the professional game in Wales, success that will produce a cascade effect for the whole of Welsh rugby," he said.

"We will not just ensure financial solvency but create a stable foundation from which to build and build we must. The hard work most definitely starts.

"The PRB has done its job and I would like to personally thank our independent chair, Malcolm Wall, for the time, patience, acumen and passion he has brought to the table and in bringing the WRU and the four professional sides to this point.

"I know it is frustrating that there will be a delay in moving from the verbal agreement to the final agreement, as legal papers are drawn up but, provided everyone abides to the verbal agreement, we are taking steps to ensure the efficiency of this process.

"We have met with the (WRPA) and now have a mechanism for bringing new player contract negotiations forward in the process.

"In the new year our professional game will be ready to begin charting the course for its future and it remains in safe hands."

A head coach's view

Dwayne Peel returned to Scarlets from Ulster

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel faces a busy time in offering conditional contracts

"There are positive noises," said Peel.

"There is still a bit of work to do but we can start looking at stuff now and planning properly which is really important for both sides, players and staff.

"January is going to be busy and from now until January. For us we have an idea on guys we want to retain but there will be budgetary constraints. The reality is the budgets and numbers of players will come down.

"There are going to be some tough decisions to be made so it's about making them in the best interests of the club and the region.

"This one's a big job with an announcement coming up, all four regions will have to make tough calls.

"We will do it with a view to what is best for us and we want to be competitive. How we go about it will be the challenge.

"The conversations will be had about wanting to keep the player from the contract side of things.

"As the announcement today has alluded to, there will be a lot of contracts made on the premise the deal gets finalised.

"The big thing is security for players and everybody understanding there will be tough calls that need to be made, but at least people will know where they are then.

"There is a lot to do but at least we can start getting things in order now."

A player's verdict

Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias is preparing to make his 150th appearance for his region

Scarlets and Wales hooker Ryan Elias is one of those players out of contract next season.

"We had a meeting this morning where we were briefed on what was going out to the media today," said Elias.

"Hopefully there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel because up until now it's been quite dark in terms of not knowing exactly where the game is going in Wales.

"It is frustrating for the players because we are halfway through December and the uncertainty is never nice.

"There is enough pressure in the game anyway and if you are a player out of contract, it's not ideal.

"Hopefully we can get things sorted and players can get some clarity so they know what they are doing.

"I am one of those players who are out of contract and have things to pay for like mortgages etc. You want to be able to know where you are financially and there has been a lot of uncertainty until now.

"It is worrying yes but I also feel quite confident in myself as well. I have been playing a fair bit of rugby with Wales and Scarlets but I know there will be some players out of contract who aren't in that position.

"I don't know what the negotiations will look like when we get down to it. I am still under contract at the moment and have a job to do, so you have to stay focused and leave the agents to take care of the other bits."

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