ALEX BYWATER: Wales chiefs won’t forget this day in a hurry… but it should never have got to this

It was slightly ironic the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association held a careers morning on the same day the future of their members couldn’t have been more uncertain.

Wednesday was a day all of those involved in Wales’ national game won’t forget in a hurry. It was a momentous few hours, but frankly for all the wrong reasons. It should never have got to this. 

At around 2pm, the first of the 200 or so Welsh-based players started to trickle into the Vale Hotel for a meeting which would define their years to come. In they came, one by one, all wearing the stereotypical hoody and tracksuit or shorts combination that seems to define the rugby players of today. 

‘This could be fun,’ one senior Wales player told Sportsmail, a wicked grin spreading across his lips. Another added: ‘We’re going in hard.’ 

The lesser-known players in Welsh rugby all walked through the Vale’s front entrance where the cameras whirled. This was a day where their every movement was being watched by the media. Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Liam Williams and the rest of Warren Gatland’s national stars entered via the side door. They had seen this sort of carnage before. 

Wales players reached an agreement with WRU bosses at the Vale Hotel on Wednesday

Warren Gatland’s squad were threatening to strike ahead of Six Nations clash with England 

Wednesday’s defining meeting saw Wales’ Six Nations squad and all of the country’s players come to a compromise agreement on a series of contractual issues. 

In summary, it means those who are out of contract at the end of the season will soon likely be able to sign new deals. The careers morning, which showcased possible post-rugby career opportunities, can wait for another year at least. 

‘I’ve got my gumshield ready boys,’ joked one player, with a compromise reached and strike action for Saturday’s game with England avoided. That game will now take place. Getting to that stage was not easy.  

With the meeting on their futures about to begin, the players were forced to carry their own seats into the showdown. Wales captain Ken Owens was a late arrival. 

The presence of Jack Dixon and Dmitri Arhip, both regional players who are out of contract at the end of the season and who suffered serious injuries last weekend with their futures uncertain, was a visible reminder of the impact contractual concerns have had on those at Welsh rugby’s sharp end. 

Both players were wearing big boots, with Arhip’s Achilles in bits. In the players went for a meeting with Welsh Rugby Union acting chief executive Nigel Walker. It lasted one hour and 20 minutes. Walker then went off for a further discussion with the rest of his professional rugby board members and more talks with Wales’ key players, Owens included. 

Then, just like that, out they came with a deal done – Walker and Owens blinking in front of the cameras as day turned to night. 

There has certainly been plenty of darkness to Welsh rugby in 2023 so far and this was another momentous day for all those involved. Hopefully there will be better to come. But don’t bet on it. 

But after holding crunch talks with WRU chief Nigel Walker a compromise was reached