Guinness Six Nations: Welsh players threaten to strike for Wales - England from 25/02/2023

"I think it (the strike) is a genuine threat, there is no doubt about that," announced Warren Gatland, head coach of the Welsh national Rugby team, who, despite the last-minute cancellation of the press conference to present the Welsh team that is due to face England (Round 3 of the 2023 Guiness Six Nations) in Cardiff (Wales) on Saturday 25/02/2023 (kick-off at 16:45 local time, 17:45 CET), appeared before the media on Tuesday 21/02/2023.

The cancellation of the conference reflects the tension between the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) Professional Rugby Board, which has been struggling financially since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the professional players, who are challenging the board's proposed new pay regulations.

The Welsh players had given the body an ultimatum for 22/02/2023. According to local media, they are demanding:
• the abolition of the 60-cap rule, which requires players to reach this threshold in order to continue playing for Wales when playing for a foreign club;
• a voice on the WRU board for the Welsh Rugby Players' Association;
• a renegotiation of the new contract model…