Wales cancel England Six Nations team announcement amid potential strike action

21 February 2023 , 11:48

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Wales face an uncertain period and there has been talk the England contest could be called off (Image: PA)

Wales have scrapped the scheduled announcement to name their team to take on England in the Six Nations on Saturday afternoon.

Warren Gatland's men are scheduled to take on England in the third round of the Six Nations on Saturday, with kick-off at 4:45pm at the Principality Stadium. However, the fixture has been shrouded in uncertainty amid the crisis engulfing Welsh rugby at present.

Gatland was expected to announce his team to take on England at 12pm on Tuesday but that has been pushed back, with the head coach scheduled to hold a press conference later to explain the latest situation instead.

Wales' players and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) are currently at loggerheads in negotiations over contracts for next seasons, with deals yet to be offered to out-of-contract stars. Talks are reportedly at an impasse between the two parties.

And the Welsh national squad have threatened to go on strike if the WRU fail to meet a number of their demands by Wednesday evening, just over two days before they are expected to take on England.

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It is an unprecedented time with Welsh rugby in crisis mode after a dire start to their Six Nations campaign.

Warren Gatland's Wales side have fallen to two defeats in their opening Six Nations matches (Getty Images)

Gatland, who has returned to the helm for a second spell, has seen his side fall to two chastening defeats in consecutive Six Nations fixtures.

They were convincingly beaten by Ireland in their opener in Cardiff, before being thrashed by Scotland at Murrayfield 35-7.

It is the first time for 16 years that Wales have been defeated in their opening two championship games. Three defeats on the trot last happened during their 2003 Six Nations campaign under head coach Steve Hansen.

With the clock ticking and a potential strike on the horizon, Gatland must somehow prepare his team amid all the uncertainty before Saturday's crunch encounter.

Jonathan Spencer