The Wales caretaker coach Steve Hansen yesterday entered the fierce debate over the future of professional rugby in Wales by saying that resources were spread too thinly in the country with too many mediocre players earning a living from the game.
Hansen, whose reign will end after Saturday's international against Scotland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, has previously opted to stay out of Wales's recent political feuding but, ahead of a meeting of all the Welsh Rugby Union's member clubs on Sunday to discuss a proposal to reduce the number of professional sides from nine to six, he yesterday backed those who advocate change.
"My job is not about politics. I am a coach but we do need a more competitive structure for our leading players. We have to cut the wages of those players who will never be anything other than ordinary and create an environment where money has to be earned. The trouble is that everyone wants a slice of the pie."
The WRU is due to discuss Graham Henry's permanent successor later this month but the political strife has seen the issue placed on the back burner. Hansen arrived in Wales at the beginning of January to act as Henry's assistant having signed a 30-month contract worth £150,000 a year.
"I want the job," said Hansen, who has been publicly backed by his players after a lobby of former internationals demanded that a Welshman be appointed. "If the WRU advertised the post I would certainly apply and if I was overlooked I would be able to leave Wales with a smile on my face having given it my best shot."
Wales have a two-Test tour of South Africa in the summer and Hansen said that, if he was still in charge, then he would leave his captain, the Lions No8 Scott Quinnell, at home to rest.
Quinnell has been plagued all season by a knee injury and he is unlikely to play against Scotland having pulled out of Llanelli's Principality Cup tie against Bridgend on Saturday. He is hoping to return for the Heineken Cup semi-final against Leicester at the end of the month.
Meanwhile Llanelli's Martyn Madden claimed he had been approached by the English and European champions Leicester. "It is flattering when a club like that shows an interest in you but I want to stay at Stradey Park," he said.
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