First standard contracts in Welsh rugby history agreed as teams allowed to start re-signing players | Rugby Union News

“This is a significant step forward in the process we are following which will ensure a sustainable future for the professional game in Wales,” said Professional Rugby Board chairman Malcolm Wall.

All four professional regions of Wales have been allowed to officially re-sign players after agreeing the first standard contracts in Welsh rugby history.

The Professional Rugby Board and the Welsh Rugby Players Association presented the standard contracts to several players and their agents over the past day, which will make existing and new offers legally binding.

The players had threatened to go on strike ahead of last month’s Six Nations game against England amid contractual uncertainty dating back to last summer.

Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets had only been allowed to make a verbal offer in recent weeks.

The WRU said members of its Rugby Board (RMB) and PRB had completed “a significant amount of work” on the contract and rights license, receiving formal acceptance from Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) and players’ agents on Friday.

“This is a significant step forward in the process we are following which will ensure a sustainable future for professional gaming in Wales,” said PRB Chairman Malcolm Wall.

“A lot of hard work has gone into getting us to this stage and we are delighted to say that our four professional teams are now able to offer legally binding contracts if required.

“We remain extremely grateful to the players themselves for their patience and understanding and we now look forward to when the full agreement can be signed, which underpins PRB’s strategy for the future of the game – a moment that this latest development proves is now closer than ever.

“A huge amount of credit should also go to the directors of each of our professional teams for ensuring that we reach this critical and crucial milestone for the game in Wales.”