Leading Welsh players have reportedly agreed to join the breakaway R360 league amid deepening uncertainty around the country’s rugby landscape.
The Daily Mail reports that while several England internationals have rejected lucrative R360 offers, Wales has emerged as fertile recruitment ground for the rebel competition.
Welsh rugby has been in a prolonged state of flux, with concerns over player contracts, structures and financial sustainability – making R360’s global franchise model an attractive option.
R360 plans to launch eight new men’s teams to compete around the world within the existing international calendar. Last week, major unions issued a joint statement warning that players who sign for R360 would not be eligible for Test rugby.
MORE: R360 rebels can’t play for Boks
The WRU did not sign the statement but later said it “supports” the position and “reserves the right” to exclude R360 players from international duty.
With Wales already struggling for depth after an 18-match losing streak, a mass exodus of talent would be a major blow for coach Mike Tandy.
Among those targeted is scrumhalf Tomos Williams, currently captaining Gloucester and described by his club coach George Skivington as “the sort of player R360 would go after”.
“Tommy will have a lot of offers in front of him,” Skivington told English media. “We’ll definitely do our best to keep him.”
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Wales captain Jac Morgan is also out of contract at the Ospreys and has suitors across England, France and R360.
Discontent among senior players over the state of the domestic game has made the financial lure of R360 – reportedly offering big salaries and fewer matches – hard to ignore.
Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images
The post 10 Wales stars sign up to rebel R360 appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Leading Welsh players have reportedly agreed to join the breakaway R360 league amid deepening uncertainty around the country’s rugby landscape.
The post 10 Wales stars sign up to rebel R360 appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
