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New peace deal for Welsh rugby

Sport | Richard Gurner | Published: 12:52, Tuesday September 8th, 2009.
Last updated: 14:04, Tuesday September 8th, 2009

WRUThe Welsh Rugby Union and the four professional regions have signed a new participation agreement – ending more than a year of bitter rows.

The two parties  had been due to face each other in the High Court tomorrow because of  a player release row.

The WRU and Regional Rugby Wales, which represents the regions, have now signed a new five-year deal to end the row that had engulfed the game in Wales.

The new participation agreement includes more financial security for the four regions with the WRU allocating them £6m instead of £3.6m a year.

It also includes:

  • Regional match squads to contain at least 17 Welsh-qualified players out of the 22 or 23 named.
  • The Wales team will be able to play up to 13 international matches plus two more non-international games on an agreed tour every year.
  • For each competition, players will be released from the regions 13 days before.
  • WRU chief executive Roger Lewis said: “This agreement is an historic landmark for Welsh rugby and will help shape the future of our national game.

    “At its heart it gives the regions the financial security to carry out a mandate to recruit and develop Welsh international players.

    “We have achieved an agreement which is rooted in the best interests of the whole of Welsh rugby because a winning Wales will deliver the support and commercial success we need to sustain rugby at all levels across our nation.”

    Stuart Gallacher, chief executive of Regional Rugby Wales, which represents the regions, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to reach this agreement which will undoubtedly help us all achieve our ambitions for our regions and for Welsh rugby.

    “It has taken a tremendous amount of hard work and compromise but both sides have remained determined to get this deal over the line.

    “I believe this agreement delivers to the WRU what it has wanted to achieve for a very long time in that it guarantees the release of Welsh players to pull on the international jersey.

    “What we now have is a very clear contract which delivers what we all need and I am absolutely certain that all four regions will honour the commitments we have agreed.”

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