Rugby is a popular sport in Wales, and the national team has a proud history of success and passion. But how much do the players, coaches, and staff earn for representing their country? What are the other benefits of being part of the Welsh rugby team? And how can you become a professional rugby player in Wales? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, based on the latest information available for 2023.
Players Salary
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has recently introduced a new payment system for its professional players, which is based on salary bands and national eligibility. The system aims to keep the best players in Wales and reward them for their loyalty and performance.
There are seven salary bands in Welsh rugby, ranging from academy players to British and Irish Lions. The bands are as follows:
- Academy: £15,000 – £20,000 per year
- Development: £20,000 – £40,000 per year
- Senior: £40,000 – £70,000 per year
- Test: £70,000 – £120,000 per year
- Elite: £120,000 – £300,000 per year
- Marquee: £300,000 – £500,000 per year
- Lions: £500,000+ per year
The players are contracted to one of the four regional clubs in Wales: Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets. The WRU pays 80% of the player’s salary if they fall within the system, while the club pays the remaining 20%. The players also receive match fees and bonuses for playing for Wales.
The average salary of a Welsh professional rugby player under the new system is around £100,000 per year. However, some of the top players can earn much more than that. For example, Alun Wyn Jones, the captain and most-capped player in Welsh history, is reportedly on a marquee contract worth £500,000 per year. Other marquee players include Jonathan Davies, George North, Leigh Halfpenny, and Gareth Anscombe.
CEO
The current interim CEO of the WRU is Nigel Walker OBE. He took over the role in January 2023 after the resignation of Steve Phillips following allegations of misogyny and sexism in Welsh rugby. Walker is a former Olympic athlete and Welsh rugby international who joined the WRU as performance director in 2021.
Walker’s salary as interim CEO has not been disclosed publicly. However, his predecessor Phillips was earning £350,000 per year as chief executive. Walker is expected to continue as interim CEO until a permanent appointment is confirmed.
Staff Earning
The WRU employs around 200 staff across various departments and roles. These include coaches, analysts, physiotherapists, nutritionists, administrators, media officers, event managers, and more. The salaries of these staff members vary depending on their level of experience and responsibility.
The average salary of a WRU employee is £28,500 per year. However, some staff members can earn much more than that. For example,
- Regional manager: £46,097 per year
- Group human resources manager: £45,000 per year
- Sales manager: £37,562 per year
- Project manager: £36,500 per year
- Senior solicitor: £35,000 per year
Other Benefits
Being part of the Welsh rugby team comes with other benefits besides money. These include:
- Traveling around the world to play in different countries and competitions
- Representing your nation and culture with pride and passion
- Developing your skills and abilities as a player or staff member
- Being part of a supportive and diverse community of rugby fans and professionals
- Having access to world-class facilities and equipment
- Receiving medical care and insurance cover
- Enjoying discounts and perks from sponsors and partners
How to Become a Professional Rugby Player in Wales
If you dream of playing rugby for Wales one day, you will need to work hard and follow these steps:
- Start playing rugby at a young age and join a local club or school team
- Develop your physical fitness, strength, endurance, speed, agility, and skills
- Learn the rules and tactics of the game and play in different positions
- Get noticed by scouts and coaches from regional or national teams
- Sign a contract with a regional club or academy and play in the United Rugby Championship or European competitions
- Prove your eligibility to play for Wales by having Welsh ancestry or residency
- Get selected by the national coach for training camps or matches
- Perform well for Wales and earn caps and honours
Highest Paid Coaches
The head coach of the Welsh rugby team is Wayne Pivac. He was appointed in 2019 after Warren Gatland stepped down following the World Cup. Pivac is a former policeman and rugby player from New Zealand who coached the Scarlets before taking the national job.
Pivac’s salary as head coach has not been revealed publicly. However, his predecessor Gatland was earning £500,000 per year as head coach. Pivac is likely to be on a similar or higher salary, depending on his results and achievements.
Pivac is assisted by a team of coaches who specialise in different aspects of the game. These include:
- Stephen Jones: attack coach
- Jonathan Humphreys: forwards coach
- Gethin Jenkins: defence coach
- Neil Jenkins: kicking coach
The salaries of these assistant coaches are also not disclosed publicly. However, they are likely to be lower than Pivac’s salary, but higher than the average WRU staff salary.
The highest-paid head coach in world rugby is Eddie Jones of England, who earns £750,000 per year. The lowest-paid head coach in world rugby is Kieran Crowley of Italy, who earns £500,000 per year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Welsh rugby team is a professional and successful organisation that pays its players, coaches, and staff well for their services. The team also offers other benefits such as travel, pride, and community. To become a professional rugby player in Wales, you will need to have talent, dedication, and eligibility. The highest-paid head coach in world rugby is Eddie Jones of England, while the lowest-paid head coach in world rugby is Kieran Crowley of Italy.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: How much do Welsh rugby players earn?
A: The average salary of a Welsh professional rugby player is around £100,000 per year. However, some of the top players can earn much more than that, depending on their contract and performance.
Q: How much does the CEO of the WRU earn?
A: The current interim CEO of the WRU is Nigel Walker OBE. His salary has not been disclosed publicly. However, his predecessor Steve Phillips was earning £350,000 per year as chief executive.
Q: How much do the staff of the WRU earn?
A: The WRU employs around 200 staff across various departments and roles. The average salary of a WRU employee is £28,500 per year. However, some staff members can earn much more than that, depending on their level of experience and responsibility.
Q: What are the other benefits of being part of the Welsh rugby team?
A: Being part of the Welsh rugby team comes with other benefits besides money. These include traveling around the world to play in different countries and competitions, representing your nation and culture with pride and passion, developing your skills and abilities as a player or staff member, being part of a supportive and diverse community of rugby fans and professionals, having access to world-class facilities and equipment, receiving medical care and insurance cover, and enjoying discounts and perks from sponsors and partners.
Q: How can you become a professional rugby player in Wales?
A: To become a professional rugby player in Wales, you will need to work hard and follow these steps:
- Start playing rugby at a young age and join a local club or school team
- Develop your physical fitness, strength, endurance, speed, agility, and skills
- Learn the rules and tactics of the game and play in different positions
- Get noticed by scouts and coaches from regional or national teams
- Sign a contract with a regional club or academy and play in the United Rugby Championship or European competitions
- Prove your eligibility to play for Wales by having Welsh ancestry or residency
- Get selected by the national coach for training camps or matches
- Perform well for Wales and earn caps and honours
Q: Who is the head coach of the Welsh rugby team?
A: The head coach of the Welsh rugby team is Wayne Pivac. He was appointed in 2019 after Warren Gatland stepped down following the World Cup. Pivac is a former policeman and rugby player from New Zealand who coached the Scarlets before taking the national job.
Q: How much does Wayne Pivac earn as head coach?
A: Wayne Pivac’s salary as head coach has not been revealed publicly. However, his predecessor Warren Gatland was earning £500,000 per year as head coach. Pivac is likely to be on a similar or higher salary, depending on his results and achievements.
Q: Who are the assistant coaches of the Welsh rugby team?
A: Wayne Pivac is assisted by a team of coaches who specialise in different aspects of the game. These include:
- Stephen Jones: attack coach
- Jonathan Humphreys: forwards coach
- Gethin Jenkins: defence coach
- Neil Jenkins: kicking coach
Q: How much do the assistant coaches of the Welsh rugby team earn?
A: The salaries of the assistant coaches of the Welsh rugby team are not disclosed publicly.