Wales team miss flight

WRU chief executive David Moffett had to negotiate with Wales' players

Wales' tour to the southern hemisphere was put in doubt on Monday and only rescued by last-minute pay negotiations.

But the delay, combined with heavy traffic on the M4, meant the Wales squad missed their scheduled flight to New Zealand.

Luckily for the cash-strapped Welsh Rugby Union, the 38 Business Class tickets were transferable - with £2,500 of administration costs compared to what could have been a £150,000 shortfall.

The cost of an extra night's hotel accomodation for the squad was paid for by the players themselves.

But it means that Wales coach Steve Hansen will have one day less to prepare for the first Test against Australia on Saturday 14 June, as Wales will not now fly until Tuesday afternoon.

The players called an emergency meeting over what BBC Wales understands was outstanding concerns over tour payments and insurance.

Player strike averted

Those issues were thought to have been resolved in a series of meetings a fortnight ago between the WRU and its international players.

But it appears there were still unresolved issues, which threatened Wales' World Cup warm-up matches against Australia and New Zealand.

The Wales squad was scheduled to fly to Auckland at 1615 BST on Monday, but the players staged an impromptu meeting at a motorway service station on the way to Heathrow.

Former Test skipper Scott Quinnell helped negotiatiate on behalf of the players with WRU chief executive David Moffett.

We picked up a couple of unwanted injuries against the Baa Baas

Wales coach Steve Hansen

With time running out to make the flight, frantic negotiations were finally concluded and the Wales players continued their journey to Heathrow.

"It's one of those things we could have done without, but sanity has prevailed," Moffett said.

"I was surprised and disappointed that we found ourselves in this position only minutes before the players were due to get on the bus.

"We have been able to reach agreement with the players in respect of their renumeration going through until the (2004) Six Nations."

But one Wales player who will miss the tour is Iestyn Harris.

Hansen blames poor defence

The Cardiff player damaged his shoulder in Wales' loss to the Barbarians on Saturday and needs a minor operation.

He will be replaced by Swansea outside-half Gavin Henson, who is also capable of filling the inside centre role that Harris has begun to blossom in.

Other bad news for Wales is that Bath No 8 Gareth Delve has been forced to pull out, also because of a shoulder inury.

He has been replaced in the squad by Swansea's Jonathan Thomas.

"It's always a shame to lose players through injury and both Iestyn and Gareth have been hitting some form so it's even harder on them," Hansen said.

"We picked up a couple of unwanted injuries against the Baa Baas, but it's Catch 22 because it was a game we needed in preparation for this tour."

Bridgend three-quarter Gareth Thomas has also pulled out for personal reasons.