Nigel Walker: Professional sides could have gone bust without deal says WRU boss

There will be “fixed” and “fixed and variable” deals available to players to whom the regions were unable to offer new contracts until March 2023.

Contracts for players of “national interest” will be agreed by the club and the WRU performance director.

Uncertainty over the deal had led to the threat of Wales players refusing to play against England in this season’s Six Nations.

Walker outlined his emotions after the deal was agreed.

“If I am honest it has taken too long and I have apologised to the players and other people who have been affected by the delay, but we got there in the end,” added Walker.

“It is a complex deal, four regions and the WRU, and that is why it has taken so long because we wanted to make the deal one that would give us sustainability.

“We got there in the end, so we are delighted and now it is a question of looking forward.

“When you have got five entities involved in negotiations over a deal, there has to be compromise on all sides and there has been.

“Everybody has had to give a little bit in order to reach the conclusion.

“It is a six-year framework. We are already in year one. The idea is that it gives the regions confidence that they can plan, put their squads together and move forward.

“We know it is going to be tough in the first year or two. There is a correction taking place, nobody is hiding from that, but as we move into years three, four and five, it will give us the platform that we need in order to give us professional regions who can be successful.”

The new agreement includes: