TIERNEY AWARE OF REBEL THREAT TO GAME IN WALES

WELSH Rugby Union chief Abi Tierney has spoken out on the R360 rebel league that is threatening to rip up the sport, amid reports that a handful of Welsh players have provisionally agreed deals to join the breakaway project.

- STEFFAN THOMAS Rugby Correspondent [e-mail]

Fronted by England World Cup winner Mike Tindall among others, R360 is aimed at creating “generational change in rugby”, with plans to create 12 new franchise teams made up of the world’s most talented stars.

It is planned for those teams to compete in a Formula One-style season, which will initially be made up of just eight games played in different destinations around the world.

With huge contracts worth up to around £740,000 per season being offered to players, the league is rapidly gaining interest, with a host of top internationals already agreeing to be a part of it.

Wales international Louis Rees-Zammit is one of the big names who has reportedly agreed to join the project following his return to rugby from the NFL.

Wales skipper Jac Morgan has also emerged as a major target for Tindall and Co.