Wales rugby players have stepped up their protests by refusing to engage with Netflix during a press conference, but Warren Gatland refuses to support a boycott of the upcoming Test against England.
Welsh rugby has been thrown into turmoil by a possible strike by players that could threaten next week’s Six Nations clash against England in Cardiff.
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The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the regions have yet to agree in writing a new long-term financial agreement, sparking fears that players whose current deals expire at the end of the season will leave the Welsh game.
The dispute affects not only the national side but hundreds of professional players in Wales. The WRU is looking to cut costs and under its proposal, wages would drop across the board, with only 80 percent of salaries guaranteed.
When head coach Gatland was asked whether he would support the strike, his answer was a straightforward ‘no’.
“I completely support the stance that they’re taking in terms of wanting to get some resolution of the issues that they have, but I think there’s a lot more involved, a lot of things at stake in terms of ensuring that that fixture does take place,” Gatland explained.
“Like I’ve said, I’m supportive of the players and the things that they’re trying to do, and my role is just to prepare the team for next week.”
Meanwhile, Wales’ players have continued to put pressure on the WRU by making a squad decision to pause filming with Netflix, who are making a documentary on this year’s Six Nations.
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones asked Netflix not to film him arriving at a press conference on Thursday and the camera crew left before the press conference started. This comes after a reported walkout at a sponsor’s dinner in Cardiff on Wednesday.
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Photo: Twitter: @WelshRugbyUnion