Welsh rugby bosses warn 'no room for manoeuvre over contract budgets'
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton warned that the reduction in player salaries would lead to a "mass exodus" of players even if it did make business sense.
In an Instagram post, external, he said: "If it wasn't for benefactors the pro club game simply wouldn't exist and sadly at this rate, it won't for much longer as things are currently.
"I appreciate players' wages and expectations need to be reset, but not at this level and after agreeing reductions already to get through [the] Covid hangover."
Cardiff captain Josh Turnbull, a representative on the Welsh Rugby Players Association, hit back at claims their protest was only about salaries.
In a social media post, external he wrote: "This is NOT about what players earn. It's the fact players don't know if they have a job in 4 months time!
"The vulnerable and uncertain situation is causing severe stress and wellbeing issues and this is increasing day by day."
Veteran Ospreys lock Bradley Davies had earlier said strike action would be the "last option" amid the ongoing contracts freeze, with Wales due to host England in the Six Nations a week on Saturday, 25 February.
"None of the boys want that," said the 36-year-old, who won the last of his 66 Wales caps at the 2019 World Cup.
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