Rugby News

Today’s rugby news as Wales international offered £100,000 pay cut and Williams states case to Gatland

June 1, 2023

Here’s your rugby morning headlines for Sunday, 26 March.

Wales star ‘offered £1srcsrc,srcsrcsrc pay cut’

Gareth Anscombe seems likely to leave Welsh rugby after reportedly reportedly being offered a deal that represents a £1srcsrc,srcsrcsrc-a-year pay cut.

Anscombe has long been linked with departing the Ospreys this summer, with France or Japan the likely destination. Now, the Rugby Paper report his new new offer from the Welsh region represents a massive drop in pay.

He signed a one-year contract extension last season after returning from serious knee injury in impressive style.

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But another serious shoulder injury in November blew apart another season, which he still hopes to end by making Warren Gatland’s World Cup squad.

The new offer to Anscombe, who has been one of Welsh rugby’s higher earners in recent years, is an example of the financial reset Welsh rugby is undertaking, with player wages and budgets being driven down.

Scarlets win sweeter after being written off

The Scarlets’ win over a Springbok-heavy Sharks side was even sweeter being written off in the build-up, according to captain Josh Macleod.

The Wales back-row skippered Dwayne Peel’s side to a stunning 32-2src win over the South African side – who had the likes of Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi in their ranks – that kept their hopes of winning the Welsh Shield alive.

Afterwards, Macleod admitted that the fact the west Walians weren’t fancied prior to the match only motivated them more.

“Look, it’s even more pleasing because I was hearing, in games earlier on today, commentators and that writing us off,” he told S4C. “No one’s mentioned us leading up to this with their team-sheet.

“But never write this team off. We’re building something really special with this coaching team. We’re looking to kick on with Europe next week. This was a massive test and next week will be exactly the same.”