ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Number of Welsh players set to move abroad and walk away from WRFU

BY Luke Stockwell  ·  Thursday Mar 2, 2023

In the past week a raft of talented Welsh players have all been linked with moves away from their home country – we look at the latest rumours and why this is happening.

Since the news broke about the instability in Welsh rugby, it has been clear that the state of the game in Wales has been on the very knife edge of breaking down completely.

ADVERTISEMENT

The national side has had huge issues, with players on the verge of striking over pay and treatment before last minute talks saved the Wales v England clash.

A side effect of the issues the WRFU face is that many of their highly ranked players will leave Wales to play for clubs that can offer financial and career stability – unsurprising when over 70 players based in Wales do not have a contract for next season.

On the flip side, the 4 Welsh regions will likely be looking to cut some of their highest paid players as they all face extreme financial struggle.

The current agreement for players in the Welsh international side is that the WRFU will pay 80% of their wage and the region pay 20% – but the regions are finding this very hard to fulfill.

A large transfer fee from a European or Southern Hemisphere club could be exactly what a Welsh side needs at the moment.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) have alluded to the issue and have stated that they expect players to leave Wales if they are given large pay cuts.

This has lead to many forecasting an exodus of Welsh talent moving to play for clubs in other countries, and in the past week this forecast seems to becoming true.

So here is a roundup of the rumours that are already circulating:

  • Liam Williams is believed to be weighing up his options in both France and Japan and is likely to move on from Adams Park.
  • Ross Moriarty is highly expected to leave Welsh Rugby with Bayonne leading the race currently.
  • Jarrod Evans to Harlequins – This deal is already very advanced and expected to be announced formally in the upcoming weeks.
  • Josh Adams – Adams finds himself in a very similar situation as Liam Williams, Cardiff will struggle to pay their portion of his wage so may look on a transfer fee favourably. Adams is linked with a move to France, more specifically Lyon.
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Former Connacht hooker shares brilliant rugby...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Official calls halt to play amidst double-call...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

View All

Funnies

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All

Amateur

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 131 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

View All