Wales players finally agree new contract terms with WRU

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Image caption, Hannah Jones has been capped 57 times since making her senior Wales debut in 2015

Wales captain Hannah Jones says players have finally reached an agreement with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) over contracts.

Jones, among other senior women鈥檚 players, has been in talks with the governing body for several months, with pay understood to be the main point of contention.

But speaking at Tuesday鈥檚 kit launch, Jones said: 鈥淔ortunately we鈥檝e come to the end.

鈥淭here has been a group of us leading forward the contracts.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to get it right now so it鈥檚 right for the future and current players.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all happy with our contracts, so we can focus on the rugby moving forward, going into WXV and start building for that World Cup.鈥

Wales were initially awarded 12 professional contracts at the start of 2022, but that number has since risen to over 30.

Jones, 27, was one of several regular starters left out of Friday鈥檚 WXV2 warm-up against Scotland 鈥 other notable absentees in the 40-14 defeat included Carys Phillips, Alex Callender, Abbie Fleming and Georgia Evans.

Keira Bevan was instead given the captaincy for the first time.

Jones, who has been led the side since the 2022 Rugby World Cup, said she would like to remain in the role.

鈥淵eah definitely, if it鈥檚 there on the table,鈥 she said.

鈥淭he passion and the want to play for my country will always be there.

鈥淵es, there are difficult times, difficult moments, but it鈥檚 the only way I am going to get better if I鈥檓 uncomfortable and pushing myself in difficult situations.鈥

Wales will train against world champions New Zealand this week before hosting Australia in their final WXV warm-up at Rodney Parade on Friday, 20 September.