New Welsh rugby 6 year deal on the horizon

Members of the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) met with the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) recently to update on the current position on a new funding model for the professional game in Wales, after welcoming a verbal agreement on a new six-year-deal.

The verbal agreement reached is a six-year-framework which details significantly enhanced WRU funding expectations from distributable monies, club commercial performance, URC media rights, new debt and shareholder investment.

This funding model sits at the centre of a root and branch review of the professional game, from pathways and academies to professional regions and the national team. 

Communication to the WRPA, following the meeting, outlines the principles for player contract negotiations for the four regional sides, which the Regions aim to begin anew in the New Year on a conditional basis. 

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 shortly.

The PRB 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. 

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.

Oakdene wrote:Got to laugh at the offering a conditional contract to players in the interim but they aren't legally binding!

RiscaGame wrote:

Oakdene wrote:Got to laugh at the offering a conditional contract to players in the interim but they aren't legally binding!

Yes, that's horrendous.

I would like to think that this verbal agreement should definitely get Dragons back into private ownership, as that was allegedly the only thing holding Blufftress back.

Pot Hale wrote:Any word on when this will be announced as formally signed?

RiscaGame wrote:I am sure I read on twitter, that no such verbal agreement exists or that they aren't close to actually signing any deal anyway. Think it was from somebody who is/was on Ospreys board.

It's a very sorry state of affairs.

RiscaGame wrote:I do wonder whether WRPA are considering striking soon. It's bad. It's bad for all teams. The numbers for the two West teams are bad, but Dragons on a slightly smaller squad are losing some pretty key players too and we definitely don't have the quality to lose some of those nearly out of contract.

Oakdene wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:I do wonder whether WRPA are considering striking soon. It's bad. It's bad for all teams. The numbers for the two West teams are bad, but Dragons on a slightly smaller squad are losing some pretty key players too and we definitely don't have the quality to lose some of those nearly out of contract.

I'll be honest I was thinking that when I have seen people striking on the news. I really don't see what other options they have. It's hard not to feel for the players as at the end of the day they are human with mortgages & families to keep. Currently the situation is something like this:

Welsh region "Right <insert name here>, we know you're out of contract in the summer but we really want to keep you on board with us. So we're going to make you an offer".
Player, "Tidy, I'm happy here so as long as the finances make sense I'll sign now".
Region, "Ah now see when we say make you an offer, its more an agreement kind of verbal agreement if you will".
Player, "Oh ok, well that doesn't sound too bad I mean an agreement is an agreement like so I'm sure it's all kosher".
Region, "Yeah so basically all in, when you consider the current state of player we will offer you £150,000 pa"
Player, "Ok that sounds good. I'm happy with that, so we're in agreement that when you're finished with the WRU agreement, we can sign a proper contract".
Region, "Thats the plan. Tidy darts."

Meanwhile an English club comes in & offers the player £135,000 pa & the player laughs is off preferring to stay at the region which is paying £15,000 pa more. Then in March

Player, "So can I sign that contract now?"
Region, "Yep, we've got it here for you. Just sign on the back page".
Player, "Ok, all looks good.....hang on, why is my salary now only £100,000?"
Region, "This is all we can afford after our agreement with the WRU was signed".
Player, "But you said it was a verbal agreement"
Region, "Yes but that wasn't legally binding"