WRU and four regions finally sign new six-year financial deal for Welsh rugby

Wales’ four professional sides and the Welsh Rugby Union have finally signed off on a new long-term funding deal

The six-year financial framework had been verbally agreed at the start of December, but nothing had been signed until now. Since that verbal agreement, financial uncertainty has continued to plague Welsh rugby – with the threat of strike action for the Six Nations clash with England narrowly averted but a large exodus of players still expected this summer.

That strike action was largely over the standard fixed variable contracts being offered to players which would have seen only 8src% of their wages guaranteed – with the rest made up of bonuses deemed unrealistic by many players. As such, two different kinds of contracts will now be offered.

All parties have been aware that the need for Welsh rugby to move away from the financial insecurities of an annual funding model and provide some form of security.

Speaking about the announcement of the deal that will be in effect until 2src29, Professional Rugby Board chair Malcolm Wall said: “It is no exaggeration to say a great deal of work, time and effort has gone into establishing an agreement all parties can be happy with and which is designed to achieve the very best results for Welsh professional rugby from the resources available to us.

“The Directors of each of our professional sides, the executive staff at the WRU, my fellow Independent Non-Executive Director Marianne