By Gareth James
Wales international Willis Halaholo is one of a dozen Cardiff players facing massive wage cuts of almost 80 per cent if they decide to stay around next season.
Some players have reportedly been offered just £30,000 to re-sign, highlighting the financial pressure facing rugby players in Wales, despite the recent strike being avoided before last Saturday’s game against England.
Although Cardiff have not yet made formal offers to players whose contracts are up, those players have been informed of the potential salaries on offer, forcing them to make crucial decisions about their careers.
The situation has been described as “drastic” by an unnamed source close to the Arms Park club. However, not all Cardiff players will be affected.
https://twitter.com/whalaholo/status/1629490751607394308?s=20
Top Earner Liam Williams to Stay with Club Despite Decreased Budgets for Welsh Rugby Regions
Liam Williams, who is one of the club’s top earners and joined from the Scarlets at the start of the current season, is not expected to face a pay cut as he is contracted to remain with the club until the end of the 2023-24 season.
Other high-profile international players at the club include Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams. Adams, in particular, was linked with a move to a French club next season, but he has denied those reports.
Budgets for Welsh rugby regions are set to decrease from £28.7 million this season to £23.5 million in 2023-24, leading to reduced squad sizes.
Nigel Walker, acting CEO of the Welsh Rugby Union, has promised that the regions will offer contracts to players in the coming days, with the deadline for offers set for the end of the week.
Walker has emphasized that the players have been waiting and have been frustrated by the uncertainty surrounding their contracts.
Negotiations have also led to a reduction in the number of caps required for Welsh rugby players based elsewhere to be eligible for selection from 60 to 25.
Gareth Lewis, the CEO of the Welsh Rugby Players Association, has also been granted a seat on the Professional Rugby Board in Wales.
https://twitter.com/BBCSportWales/status/1630455257439571969?s=20
Read more about Wales rugby players’ strike
