Welsh Rugby Union steps into clubs" European row to prevent exodus of big ...

It added that once the negotiations regarding the European tournament were

successfully concluded the WRU “would permit the regions to revert to the

current position with the agreed contracts being reassigned back to them”.

The offer is designed to ensure players such as Warburton, Halfpenny, Alun Wyn

Jones, Toby Faletau, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams do

not move to France or England because of the inability of the Welsh regions

to offer new deals.

“I want to make it clear to our players that we have full confidence in the

future of the elite game in Wales,” Roger Lewis, the WRU group chief

executive, said.

“It would be inappropriate to go into details about any negotiations or

discussions which rightly have to be concluded in private, but I respect the

concerns of the players at a time our squad is about to embark on a

demanding autumn series and it is important that their minds are completely

focused on the task in hand.

“I shared this proposal with the regional chairmen on Monday and look forward

to what I expect would be a positive response.”

Wednesday’s European Rugby Cup meeting, which was chaired by independent

mediator Graeme Mew at a secret location, was not attended by

representatives of the Welsh regions, or the English and French clubs.

And given the Welsh regions’ decision to support the Anglo-French tournament,

it remains uncertain whether the WRU’s initiative will be viewed positively,

given the regions’ desire to maintain their independence as going concerns.

The decision of the English and French clubs and Welsh regions to stay away

left only representatives from the six unions and ERC, the governing body of

the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cups, to try to forge a way forward.

It is understood that some progress was made on the key areas of dispute, with

the Rugby Football Union delegation of Ian Ritchie, the chief executive, Rob

Andrew, the professional rugby director, and Bill Beaumont, the chairman,

playing a key role.

The talks are now set to resume on Thursday morning but even if an agreement

is reached it, it would then have to be relayed to the English and French

clubs and the Welsh regions for their consideration.

Sources suggested that any potential deal would be unlikely for another two

weeks.

Welsh Rugby Union steps into clubs" European row to prevent exodus of big ...