Six Nations 2023: Warren Gatland ‘confident’ Wales’ game with England will go ahead amid strike threat | Rugby Union News

Head coach Warren Gatland expects Wales’ Six Nations game against England to go ahead as scheduled a week on Saturday and is against his players striking over ongoing contract disputes.

Strike action by players is a possibility as the Wales squad continues preparations to face England in Cardiff on February 25, amid uncertainty caused by Welsh rugby’s professional contracts freeze.

The situation has been magnified due to recruitment being on hold and next season’s playing budgets not yet being finalised for Wales’ four professional regions of Cardiff, Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets, while a new financial agreement between the regions and the Welsh Rugby Union has still to be confirmed in writing.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m just preparing for the game and I’m confident that the game will go ahead,” Gatland told the media on Thursday.

Asked whether he feels he would support his squad striking, Gatland added: “No. I completely support the stance they’re taking in terms of wanting to get some resolution about the issues they have, but I think there’s a lot of things at stake in terms of ensuring that fixture takes place.

“I’m supportive of the players and the things that they’re trying to do, so my role is to just to try and prepare the team for next week.”

More to follow…

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