Nigel Walker: Welsh Rugby Union boss warns regions over players' contracts

Nigel Walker was named interim chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union in January

Acting Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Nigel Walker says he will hold the four regions' "feet to the fire" if they do not offer players contracts by the end of next week.

Negotiations have been ongoing with Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets over a new long-term funding framework.

Wales' players were told they will be offered new deals next week.

"If that doesn't happen I will be holding their feet to the fire. Make no mistake about that," Walker warned.

"The regions have signed up to giving them contracts by the end of next week."

Walker's comments drew criticism from some quarters with ex-Sport Wales chief executive Huw Jones among them.

He tweeted: "This is really disingenuous from Nigel. If he wants the regions to offer contracts to the players then he needs to ensure that the Welsh Rugby Union documentation provided is complete.

"As the Acting CEO it's his job to check the agreement is fit for purpose and sign it off."

However, Scarlets chairman Simon Muderak was more conciliatory when he spoke to BBC Radio Wales.

"I think Nigel was caught a little bit cold maybe on Saturday and look, to be clear, he's fronted up and was trying to show leadership and give people reassurance," said Muderack

"Indeed the regions stepped forward yesterday (Sunday, 26 February) and on our own risk gave Nigel the ability to communicate to the players and in the Vale on (last) Wednesday afternoon that we would be moving forward with contracts this week.

"That's in the absence of the new deal actually concluding this week so that's very much the regional decision and as I said, it's at our risk and I think what Nigel was trying to do is just reassure people that we will work together to get that done as effectively as we can this week.

"But certainly I think in terms of 'feet to the fire' there are a number of participants that need to be held to account in order to get that done and certainly... it was the regions that were leading this initiative."

The Professional Rugby Board (PRB) is an organisation that runs the professional game in Wales and is made up of representatives of the regions and the WRU, including Walker.

A freeze had been put on offering player contracts, with uncertainty around players' long-term futures almost leading to a strike this week.

A long-form agreement was given to the regions last week and Walker has told them they must start contracting players.

As part of concessions made to prevent the strike, the PRB has agreed to lower the 60-cap rule to 25, and given Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) chief executive Gareth Lewis a seat on the PRB.

The PRB has also given players the power to choose between a fixed-term contract and a fixed-element contract.

"I can understand why the players were as frustrated as they were," Walker added.

"The negotiations have gone on for far too long. The regions and the Welsh Rugby Union admit that they've gone on for far too long."