Following the strike threat from Wales elite players, a newspaper report has deatiled just how much they will be missing out on if they do carry through their threat.

The Daily Mail reported that Wales paid their squad more than £130,000 in bonus money for beating Italy a fortnight ago, making them the best paid players in the Championship.

However, Wales also pick up a bonus when they lose! For example, the newspaper reports that last time Wales visited Twickenham, in March 2000, and were on the wrong end of a 46-12 scoreline they still went home sharing £30,875 in bonus money.

One top elsh official is quoted declaring that the Welsh union 'rewards mediocrity'.

The extravagant bonuses two years ago, on top of the standard match fee, came from the players' caps - £75 for each appearance per player after the first five. Wales have since limited the maximum to 35, a capping of the caps which meant that in beating Italy a fortnight ago they merely paid out £21,450 - £9,000 less than Twickenham two years ago.

The Welsh players will argue that their stance is motivated solely by a desire to support their clubs in the wrangle for a better deal from the Union.

When Wales win the players get more than England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Italy.

For the privilege of seeing their team beat Italy, the Welsh RU paid its 22 players almost £165,000, all but £33,500 in bonus money. For beating the same opposition in Rome last month, Scotland paid their 22 players £88,000, their win bonus accounting for £66,000.

Wales are on a match fee of £1,500 a man, plus a win bonus of £5,000 a man. The cap bonus, that no other country in the Championship awards, accounts for the rest, which means that the two most capped players, Scott Quinnell and Rob Howley, collected more than £8,500 apiece.

Scotland's match fee is £1,000, with a £3,000 win bonus for all Six Nations matches. Ireland's is the same. England went on strike last season for a higher match fee and lower bonus which still leaves them with £6,000 per player, per win.

France are on £4,000-a-man for a home win, £5,000 for an away win. Their match fee includes a daily payment of £200 in lieu of club wages.