Tomos Williams could become the latest Welsh international to leave the Welsh game as English giants Gloucester prepare to offer the Cardiff scrum-half a lucrative three-year contract.Player budgets in Wales will be slashed from £5.2 million to £4.5 million next season, making it inevitable that a host of big-name players will accept lucrative deals in England, France and Japan.
Williams has been a key figure for Wales over the past five years and his performances on the international stage have attracted interest from English clubs. WalesOnline understands that Gloucester are the clear favorites to sign him, with the Cherry & Whites confident Williams will put pen to paper in the near future. Williams has won 53 caps for Wales and therefore remains eligible for national selection should he decide to leave Wales. The 28-year-old is arguably one of the most potent attacking number nine players in the northern hemisphere and would be a major coup for any team that secures his signature. Many Welsh internationals are expected to leave the country at the end of the season, with George North having already signed for Provence Rugby, while Dragons trio Aaron Wainwright, Rio Dyer and Leon Brown are also in discussions with clubs in England and Ireland. France. Money is tight in Wales as the new Welsh Rugby Union board and the four professional teams – Cardiff, Dragons RFC, Ospreys and Scarlets – have a huge responsibility to find ways to bring new investments in this sport. There is light at the end of the tunnel for Cardiff, which has secured major investment from new majority shareholder Helford Capital Limited. But for Cardiff to go over the £4.5million salary cap next season, the Professional Rugby Board would have to vote in favor. Even if they do, it may be too late to retain Williams, with Gloucester confident of securing his signature
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