In Wales, a nation's game teeters on the edge
Strike avoidance is merely a palliative solution to a long term crisis in Welsh rugby.
If you thought the hyperbole surrounding Welsh rugby was just idle chatter amongst disgruntled employees, think again. The events of the past week have ignited a firestorm of discontent. The situation is dire, and a strike avoidance may be little more than a band-aid on a festering wound.
The meeting between players and executives, held at the opulent Vale Hotel in Cardiff, was nothing short of a high-stakes gamble. As the first of the 200 players in attendance began to file in around 2pm, a palpable sense of anxiety hung in the air. The lush and luxurious golfing greenery did little to distract.
Some wore grim expressions, while others licked their lips and grinned, perhaps envisioning the thrill of victory that could be theirs if they emerged victorious from the bargaining table.
A meeting between players and Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) acting chief executive Nigel Walker lasted a brisk one hour and 20 minutes. Walker absented himself to confer with the others on Professional Rugby Board and engage in further discourse with the most vital Welsh players, captain Ken Owens among them.1
Soon after they remerged from the hotel to be greeted by flashing lights and curious members of the press. Surely the words "Thank God" ricocheted through Walker's mind, though his visage belied any sense of relief.
The former winger, who indeed ought to be lauded for weathering the onslaught left in Steve Phillips' wake, looked sullen and morose as Owens roundly denounced his side as a “laughing stock.”
The question on everyone's lips: did they emerge victorious? It's a tough call. What we do know is this: there are three solid points to the deal that emerged from the cagey discussions.
Firstly, Welsh rugby's contentious 60 cap rule has been booted to the curb, reducing the threshold to a more manageable 25 with immediate effect. No longer will players be shackled by the burden of this onerous regulation.
Yet, as many have pointed out, its effect may be twofold. With a host of players now with the option to comfortably seek further remuneration overseas without fear of losing a spot in the national side, the four regions face an exodus of their finest talent to those who can pay.
Secondly, the fixed variable element of contracts, which had been proposed to account for 20 per cent of salaries, has been removed. Players can now sign fixed contracts with guaranteed salaries, allowing them more security in their career trajectories.
And last but not least, the players have been granted representation at Welsh rugby's Professional Rugby Board, with Gareth Lewis, the chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Players' Association, acting as their advocate. It remains to be seen whether this deal will be enough to sate the players' demands and set Welsh rugby on the path to recovery.
The gloomy clouds have dissipated, and whilst the sun doesn’t shine on Welsh rugby, a fleeting reprieve is upon us now. Warren Gatland’s valiant 23 will take to the open-roofed Principality green against bitter rivals England, whose vigour is remerging under the tutelage of Steve Borthwick. Gatland has lent faith in youth and named Cardiff centre Mason Grady to make his debut at outside centre, with his Under-20s partner Joe Hawkins inside him.
The yarn has been spun to precision this week, tailored perfectly for a back against the wall win that Wales are famed for. If by some miracle this outcomes comes to fruition, Cardiff will erupt with unrestrained celebrations.
But those distractions must be brief, for the WRU must not forget this day, nor be fooled into thinking they've won back the trust of their players and supporters who fork over their hard-earned coin for those coveted Principality seats. Nor must players and fans forget.
The WRU are not Welsh rugby. They’re simply an entity commissioned tasked with growing and safeguarding the beloved and storied sport of a nation. Through years of misconduct and mismanagement, any trust that supporters had has been eroded completely. Recent events would suggest that erosion has found its way to the group that the WRU must have on their side no matter what: the players.
But this is an ongoing saga with no end in sight, rife with the foul stench of toxicity, accusations of rampant sexism and misogyny, and leaders who seem to have their heads stuck in the sand. Let us not forget this equally pressing issue that demands change - one that must not be covered up in the classic WRU fashion.
ALEX BYWATER: Wales chiefs won't forget this day in a hurry... but it should never have got to this | Daily Mail Online