LEADING Welsh rugby players are threatening not to play against the Barbarians at the end of the month or go on next month's tour to Australia and New Zealand because of a pay row.

They are objecting to another cut in their pay structure which would mean some players earning only £500 a game.

And those who are not in the 22 for the Tests Down Under would receive nothing at all if the matches are lost. "We were expecting some cuts, but it was a bombshell when we told the details," said one player.

Meetings between players' representatives are being held, but Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive David Moffett is taking a hard line.

"If players do not wish to play for Wales then I am sure there are others who will," he said.