Wales: Dragons centre Jack Dixon opens up on the harsh reality of the contract row

Dragons stalwart Jack Dixon has laid bare the stark reality faced by Wales players and their families amid Welsh rugby’s contract freeze.

Dixon is one of the Dragons’ most capped players in the side’s history, and his contract expires at the end of the season, along with around 100 Welsh professional players.

Welsh United Rugby Championship (URC) teams are unable to negotiate new deals with players or recruit new players due to the contract freeze.

Despite months of discussions, a new six-year financial agreement between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the four professional regions has yet to be signed.

“I don’t know if I have got income coming in”

With the national team players threatening strike action, Dixon has explained the impact the uncertainty is having on players. The 28-year-old centre’s wife, Lauren, is expecting the couple’s second child in August.

“The uncertainty of the next couple of weeks and the next couple of months is tough,” he said. “My contract runs out in three or four months’ time.

“I have a two-year-old son in the house, my wife is pregnant with another baby expected towards the end of this year, and I don’t know if I have got income coming in June, July and next year yet. Nothing has been said.

“When you take the field, you try to park it as best you can, but, subconsciously, you are one big injury from being thrown out the door, to put it frankly.”

Trust between players and coaches

While the Dragons and Dixon have agreed on a verbal contract, nothing is set in stone. Until the terms between the WRU and the regions are accepted, no contracts can be finalised.

“There is quite a good bond and trust between players and coaches at the Dragons, but, like in any industry, until something is set in stone and signed on the dotted line, it doesn’t mean anything,” Dixon added.

“Dai (Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan) has sat us down and explained the situation the best he can to every individual.

“As players across all four regions, we have to stick together with this. For me and a lot of the boys, it is not really about money.

“It is about players having a fair say in the board meetings and just having a voice. We feel as players; we don’t get a say – we are always last to know information.

“I feel like it has got to the point where you are asking me about Welsh players striking for Wales versus England. That says it all.

“We are the ones who go out there every weekend and put our bodies on the line. We signed up to be rugby players, but, at the end of the day, we deserve to have our say in what goes on in the whole organisation.

“At the minute, we are just holding on until we get answers. Something has to change. The outside pressures are pretty overwhelming at the minute.”

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