Welsh players appear to be bucking the trend over R360 after it was reported that at least 10 players have agreed deals with the rebel league.
As things stand, R360, who are headed by ex-England captain Mike Tindall, are struggling to attract big-name players, with England centurion George Ford among those to reject their advances after signing a new Sale Sharks contract, but they seem to have found a market in Wales.
With Welsh rugby struggling financially, some of their biggest stars seem willing to take the riches on offer, despite the very tangible threat of seeing their Test careers ended.
Big names linked
According to the Daily Mail, “at least 10” Wales internationals have committed to the rebel league, which would be a big blow for new head coach Steve Tandy.
Among that list is thought to be flying wing Louis Rees-Zammit, while the likes of Tomos Williams, Dewi Lake, Nicky Smith, Aaron Wainwright, Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams are also reportedly “on the competition’s radar.”
It is a decision which could end their Wales careers, even though the Welsh Rugby Union were a notable absentee from last week’s statement.
Many of the biggest unions in the sport joined forces to announce that anyone signing up to the rebel league would not be able to play Test rugby.
England, Ireland, France, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Scotland and Italy all made their position clear by releasing a joint statement.
“As a group of national rugby unions, we are urging extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition,” it read.
“We all welcome new investment and innovation in rugby and support ideas that can help the game evolve and reach new audiences but any new competition must strengthen the sport as a whole, not fragment or weaken it.
“Among our roles as national unions, we must take a wider view on new propositions and assess their impact on a range of areas, including whether they add to rugby’s global ecosystem, for which we are all responsible, or whether they are a net negative to the game.”
They added: “Each of the national unions will therefore be advising men’s and women’s players that participation in R360 would make them ineligible for international selection.”
Rugby codes take firm stance
Rugby league have also looked to quell the danger of the rebel competition. With R360 targeting some of their biggest stars, the NRL have threatened them with a 10-year ban should they decide to jump ship.
Both codes have therefore united in an attempt to put as many obstacles in the way of R360, which intends to start in October next year.
However, the situation is less clear over the Welsh players given the issues there are in the WRU at the moment, with the chance of earning more money for less games being seen as very enticing.