Tandy says Wales can refocus after pay dispute is settled before Fiji match

Steve Tandy says Wales have avoided any lasting disruption after players and the Welsh Rugby Union resolved a pay dispute just days before the Nations Championship opener against Fiji. The head coach said training continued as planned and that the squad can now turn fully to Saturday’s match.

The issue centred on match fees and employment terms, with talks involving the WRU, the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association and senior Wales players. The squad did not attend a scheduled press conference on Wednesday while the matter was unresolved, but an agreement was reached later that day.

Tandy, who said he was not part of the negotiations, praised the players’ conduct and described the group as united despite the off-field distraction. Former Wales international and WRU board member Jamie Roberts also argued that such disputes should not be allowed to run into a Test week.

The episode adds to wider questions around Welsh rugby governance, with the WRU also facing scrutiny over its professional-game plans and leadership changes. For Wales, the immediate challenge is whether the resolution allows attention to shift back to performance against Fiji in Cardiff.