Wales pull plug on second string

Welsh rugby chiefs have put the Wales A team into cold storage as part of a cash-saving exercise.

The cutback means Wales will not enter a side in this season's A-team Six Nations Championship.

They were due to have hosted England at Wrexham on February 21 and Ireland in Cardiff a month later. Away games against Italy, Scotland and France were also scheduled.

Wales A drew with England last season, beat Italy and lost narrowly to France. Players who featured included senior internationals such as Rhys Williams, Chris Wyatt and Craig Quinnell.

The decision to mothball Wales' international second string was taken by Welsh Rugby Union directors before Christmas.

David Moffett, the WRU's group chief executive, has now written to counterparts in the other five competing countries and the Six Nations chief executive confirming the decision.

"Wales A were due to have hosted England A at Wrexham on Friday, February 21 and Ireland A in Cardiff on March 21," said a WRU spokesman.

"They were also due to travel to play away games against Italy A in Cosenza on February 14, Scotland A in Inverness on March 7 and France A in Brive on March 28.

"The WRU annual report for 2001-2002 shows that in the last two seasons, the Wales A team has cost the WRU £497,643 (€764,036) to run. Matches played by the A team have generated £246,519 (€378,496) income in return."

Despite the harsh economic realities - it is the latest cutback implemented since Moffett's arrival - the decision will spark a storm of protest.

Without the A side, Wales have lost a vital development team with regard to the overall national squad picture.