STATEMENT: Wales players make decision on strike ahead of England clash

byRugby Rucker

After considering strike action, the Welsh players have decided to proceed with the Wales vs. England Six Nations match in Cardiff on Saturday.

The game was in jeopardy due to a contractual dispute with Welsh rugby officials, causing Wales head coach Warren Gatland to delay team selection and cancel training.

However, the matter has since been resolved, and Gatland will announce his squad on Thursday.

If the match had been cancelled, it would have resulted in a loss of nearly £10m for the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

Nigel Walker has confirmed that the 60-cap law will be lowered to 25.

Ken Owens, meanwhile, says Welsh rugby has been the "laughing stock" of world rugby.

The Wales players wanted three issues resolved before they agreed to take the pitch at the Principality Stadium.

They were seeking:

Wales Rugby Players' Association (WRPA) representation at PRB meetings.
The removal of the contentious 60-cap selection rule in Wales whereby a player plying his trade outside the country cannot be picked unless he has made at least that number of Test appearances.
The removal of Welsh rugby bosses' demands that players accept 80% in set wages, with 20% available in bonuses.

Wales captain Owens added: "We’re obviously happy but there's obviously been huge frustration over the last number of months. I was disappointed that it got to this stage that we felt we have to make a stand but I think the collaboration, the conversations that have taken place over the last week, 10 days or so, have shown that some positive resolutions can be found.

"I'm glad that we can continue to do that in the future with obviously, the seat at PRB and RMB and Nigel offering to meet with us on a more regular basis that we we don't end up in a situation like this in the future.

"It has been very tough as you can probably see from my voice. No, it has been a really tough sort of another event in Welsh rugby, which is hugely frustrating. It’s been a difficult period over the last sort of year, 18 months. And hopefully we don’t end up here again.

"It's got to be a long term solution because Welsh rugby can't keep going around on this merry go round of crisis after crisis because it's affecting everybody in the game. Players, supporters, administrators, grassroots clubs, everybody.

"With the events of the last six to eight weeks, I think everybody in Welsh rugby really need to pull together now to find the best way forward and we need to do it collaboratively, together, to put Welsh rugby back at the top end of world rugby and not the laughing stock which I think we are at the moment and I think we can do that with the collaboration that's been agreed."

Gavin Henson and three other rugby stars who own their own pubs

On the chance that you might spot a rugby legend a pint or bending an elbow at a local pub (it does happen), here’s a list of who owns what around the UK and Ireland.

With three of the five pubs on this list owned by Irish Rugby legends, it should come as no surprise that Guinness is one of their best selling drinks.

You can be sure of an epic match day experience whilst enjoying a great pint of the black stuff!

Read on to check out which former and current rugby stars currently own pubs:

1. Gavin Henson - The Fox

In 20202, the former Wales star settled into his new life as the pub landlord of The Fox in St Brides Major, in Wales..

He explained the change had fallen into place well as his vision of running a pub had coincided with the end of him playing rugby.

Henson said: “My friend was putting pressure on me to buy it. I was coming to the end of my career and it had been sat here for 18 months, two years.

“It was not nice for the village andd I needed something to do after rugby and to be busy, not to mourn rugby and get depressed, as they say everyone does. But be careful what you wish for, because this is so full-on.

“I’m just Daddy now, without the risk of getting injured.”

He added: “We want to feel like we’ve achieved something with the pub. We’re perfectionists. We’re all about the detail.”

Trip Advisor review:

Overall score: 4/5

Good review: "We had heard a lot about the fox especially the quality of the food. This was an anniversary meal and the experience definitely did not disappoint."

Bad review: "Value for money absolutely not. Had nicer and more reasonably priced Sunday dinner at my local Marstons chain."

#2. Jack Nowell - The Swordfish Inn

The England and Exeter Chiefs winger is the co-owner of The Swordfish Inn back in his hometown of Cornwall.

Sitting on the harbourfront, the pub has been a favourite of local fishermen, artists and visitors alike for as long as anyone cares to remember and is well-known for its rugged charm and atmosphere.

Trip Advisor review:

Overall score: 4/5

Good review: "Called into the bar with my wife and hyper Springer Spaniel whilst passing through Newlyn. The dog was greeted with a biscuit from a customer at the bar. Made to feel welcome by staff and customers. Proper friendly local pub and a good choice of ales."

Bad review: "We came here after a nice day at beach but was disappointed when we got kicked out because my child was crying. Apparently that’s such an inconvenience."

3. Ugo Monye - The Shack 68

After concluding his rugby union career, Monye, a former back for both England and Harlequins, opted to venture into running a pub located very close to Twickenham Stadium.

All dishes at the pub are locally sourced and adapted seasonally from companies such as Coopers and Sons.

The interior is fun and colourful with very unique and quirky prints to catch the eye. There are multiple areas, including a covered private garden and sports lounge to kick back and enjoy cocktails with friends, and the dance floor is back with live DJ every Friday & Saturday Night from 8pm - LATE.

Trip Advisor review:

Overall score: 3.5/5

Good review: "Went in after the rugby Service was absolutely spot on and very attentive. Good ales and the snacks were very good."

Bad review: "First night out after outside spaces open and what a let down! Sat next to the fire (not requested) and every time door opened to add fuel or stoke the fire ash went into eyes and worse on food."

4. Gareth Steenson - The Stand Off

The Stand-Off, which is owned by the Exeter legend, will opened its doors at Portland House, Longbrook Street, after a major refurb in 2018.

Steeno teamed up with Carl Rimmer, one of his former Exeter Chiefs playing colleagues, and recruited former Woodbury Park manager Joe Hammond to oversee the project.