Welsh stars forced to take pay cut?
October 7, 2002

Wales top players' are reportedly set to be forced to accept big pay cuts in a new 'take it or leave it' deal'.

The Wales on Sunday newspaper reports that pay cuts of up to 75% will be forced on those players hoping to play a part in the international side's fortunes in World Cup year.

A WRU insider told the newspaper, "The players will be told to like it or lump it."

This latest move means the old pay structure brought in by previous coach Graham Henry where players with 40+ plus caps warranted higher pay will be scrapped.

For a win against any country, the senior Welsh players under Henry like Scott Quinnell and Colin Charvis received a guaranteed £9,000 - make up of £1,000 match fee, up to £3,000 because they had more than 40 caps and an extra £5,000 windfall.

The financially troubled Welsh Rugby Union have produced a new two-tier pay structure.

  • An end to the £3,000 for 40 caps or more;
  • Appearance money of £1,000 for playing against a leading nation and just £500 for a lesser side like Fiji or Canada; and
  • A win incentive of £4,000 for a major win, and £2,000 for the other games.

    Welsh rugby bosses have a £50m debt outstanding on the Millennium Stadium.

    One WRU insider confirmed: "We have to rein in the costs and the players will bear the brunt of that. We can't afford to keep paying the money we have been. It is as simple as that. What we want is the players to play for Wales, not for the money."

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