List of 15 Wales internationals targeted by rugby's controversial rebel league
Welsh players are in demand despite the national team's recent struggles on the pitch
Jac Morgan (left), and Dewi Lake (right) are targets
(Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)
Rugby's new rebel league R360 has targeted up to 15 Welsh players it wishes to contract in the near future.
WalesOnline understands Louis Rees-Zammit, Jac Morgan, Johnny Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams, Aaron Wainwright, Taulupe Faletau, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas, Dewi Lake, Dafydd Jenkins, Teddy Williams and Rio Dyer are targets of the new competition.
Fronted by England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and former Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper, among others, R360 is a potential new breakaway franchise league that wants to create 'generational change in rugby'.
It is proposed that 12 new franchise teams, boasting the world's top rugby talent, will be created, with players reportedly being offered contracts worth up to around $1 million (£740,000) per season.
They will be based around the world, with Tokyo, London, Dubai, Cape Town, Boston and Miami being touted as potential franchise locations.
With the first season planned to run between September and December 2026, the league has set a deadline of next month to sign up 200 players and, according to the latest reports, it looks as though they will meet it following a surge in interest.
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WalesOnline understands some Welsh players have even signed pre-contracts to play in R360 if it comes to fruition over the next few months. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
It is no surprise to see Wales and Lions star Morgan high up on R360's wish list while the same could be said of Rees-Zammit who is pure box office.
Rees-Zammit is currently on the lookout for a one-year contract after deciding to return to rugby union from the NFL but is likely to throw his lot in with R360.
Welsh rugby is currently stuck in the doldrums but there are a number of players who are still rated highly. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
The likes of Wainwright has performed well in struggling teams and could take his game to another level if surrounded by world class players.
Wales scrum-half Williams' Gloucester contract expires at the end of the 2025/26 season, with the Cherry & Whites prepared to make the 30-year-old one of the highest paid players in the Gallagher Premiership amid interest from French clubs and R360.
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It will be interesting to see what stance the WRU takes with R360 should a sizable number of players decide to cash in. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Currently the controversial 25-cap law acts as a deterrent to some players leaving Wales but most of the players on the list have significantly more than 25 caps while the money on offer is significant.
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