Nations Championship: Wales disrupted by dispute with WRU before Fiji opener

Further talks then took place before a deal was struck shortly before 17:00 BST, with players seen leaving a meeting at the Vale Resort headquarters just outside Cardiff.

“Media access was postponed today due to ongoing negotiations between WRU representatives and the Welsh Rugby Players Association around employment terms for the new Nations Championship competition,” read a joint statement between the WRU and WRPA.

“These negotiations have now been concluded to the satisfaction of all parties.

“Training preparations for the upcoming match against Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium have not been affected. Everyone involved is looking forward to a positive result on Saturday and a successful campaign.”

The training schedule may not have been impacted but it is another saga for a group of players who have been drained by off-field issues in recent years.

Strike action was narrowly avoided on the eve of the home fixture against England in the 2023 Six Nations.

Tandy’s reign has also been impacted by uncertainty caused by the WRU’s proposal to reduce the number of men’s professional sides from four to three, a plan it intends to implement by 2028.

The coaching staff and squad members were at the Vale Resort on Wednesday and Thursday is not scheduled as a training day ahead of their opening fixture.

The head coach, who cut his squad down to 33 for the summer Tests on Tuesday, is due to name his side to face Fiji on Thursday morning before facing the media.

The captain’s run, when the squad go through their final preparations, takes place at Cardiff City Stadium on Friday before Saturday’s game.

The opener is followed by away Tests against Argentina in San Juan and South Africa in Durban, with Wales heading into the fixtures after winning an uncapped fixture against the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium.