Deal or No Deal?

Player Release

Llanelli Scarlets benefactor Huw Evans has called for a better deal for the Welsh Regions after revealing the four professional sides are coughing up £18 million in player wages, but receive less than £4 million from the Welsh Rugby Union to help them keep players in Wales.

Mr Evans says Welsh Regional sides are out of pocket - and any new deal with the WRU will have to see a substantial improvement in the compensation the Regions receive for the use of their players.

Both sides are keen to avoid embarrassing arguments over availability of Welsh players for coach Warren Gatland’s national side such as happened during the last Autumn Internationals.

But the Chief Executive of the WRU Roger Lewis says the regions get more money than clubs in England.

“The union gives the Regions some £3.6 million, on top of the £8 million that washes through from the Magners League and the European Cup. Furthermore the Welsh Rugby Union funds the four regional academies so we give the regions a further £650,000. We are also currently picking up player insurance costs - which we need to address. Also of course we pay for the running of the game, match officials and so on.”

While access to players has been agreed for the coming Six Nations, no long term new agreement has been made - which means rows over player availability could well surface again. Many believe this could undermine the success of Welsh teams at the top level.