Crisis in Wales goes to the brink as regions refuse to sign new deal with ...

The meeting on Friday altered that, however, and with no sign of any

resolution of next year’s European Cup fiasco, the regions feel they will be

committing financial suicide by signing the agreement. They will announce

their intentions before Tuesday and are clearly ready for a battle in the

courts.

Any cross-border competition would require union ratification, and it is

believed that the Rugby Football Union would not give such approval,

although it has yet to see any definite proposal.

The WRU has scheduled a board meeting for Thursday, after which it is likely

to announce alternative arrangements once the present agreement ends on June

30, possibly including the creation of three new regions – in the west, east

and north of Wales – and the imposition of central contracts.

Six high-profile players – Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny, Alun Wyn Jones,

Adam Jones, Scott Williams and Rhys Priestland – have yet to agree deals for

next season, and it is understood that they will be targeted for central

contracts.

Crisis in Wales goes to the brink as regions refuse to sign new deal with ...