The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have offered to centrally contract top players such as the Wales captain Sam Warburton to prevent them being poached by English and French clubs while the row over European tournaments continues.

The uncertainty caused by the threat of an Anglo-French breakaway tournament means the four Welsh provinces - Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons - were concerned they would be unable to offer new deals to players approaching the end of their contracts. The WRU said they would draw on the £33m earmarked to pay out to the regions over the next five years to fund the contracts.

Eddie Jones, the Japan coach who is recovering after being diagnosed with a stroke, will be replaced by his assistant, fellow Australian Scott Wisemantel, for the match against New Zealand in Tokyo next month. It is unlikely that Jones, the former Australia coach, will be at the helm for the ensuing tour to Europe involving matches against Scotland, Russia, Wales and Spain.