Wales snubbed by Quinnell

Scott Quinnell yesterday turned his back on Wales by breaking off financial talks between his agent, Mike Burton, and the Welsh Rugby Union.

Quinnell has been in dispute with the Welsh Rugby Union over payment since he returned to union from Wigan rugby league club last summer.

At one stage, the 23-year-old Richmond back row forward went on international strike in protest at what he termed unfair treatment, and was not considered for Wales' early-season internationals against France and Italy.

"I am surprised and disappointed that the WRU have changed the basis of their offer to me for the third time," said Quinnell, who won nine caps in 1993 and 1994.

"I had accepted their latest offer, even though it was still some way short of the financial package being offered to players currently playing for Welsh clubs.

"I was prepared to make that sacrifice to wear the red jersey again, but this latest turnabout by the WRU is most distressing."

Burton, the former England and Lions prop, has been in detailed negotiation with the WRU director of rugby, Terry Cobner, for six months, and it is understood Quinnell was offered a pounds 20,000 lump sum, plus a pounds 4,000 match fee and pounds 4,000 win bonus.

Contracted WRU players currently earn a basic pounds 30,000, plus various assorted appearance fees and win bonuses.

Burton said: "I am almost as disappointed as Scott at the breakdown in these talks. While no animosity exists between Scott and the WRU, we are resigned to the fact that Scott will not play international rugby this season.

"I have talked to Fran Cotton, manager of the Lions for next summer's tour to South Africa, and he is quite prepared to assess Scott on his club form when considering his party to take on the Springboks."

Quinnell, who was tipped to return when the Wales coach, Kevin Bowring, announces his team for next month's Test against Australia, said he felt sympathy for other English-based Welsh players like Harlequins' Gareth Llewellyn and the Bath flanker Richard Webster.

"I feel sorry for the other lads playing their club rugby in England, because they are being asked to accept so much less than Wales-based players who will be wearing the same jersey on match day," he claimed.

"It is very unfair, but more distressing is the unprofessional way that negotiations have been conducted by the WRU."