The threatened strike of Wales international players in the week before their Six Nations match against England has been called off, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said today.
The players, led by captain Scott Quinnell, had threatened to strike in support of six of the principality's top clubs, Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Bridgend, Pontypridd and Llanelli, who had demanded that they should be the only professional clubs in the principality.
A statement from WRU chairman Glanmor Griffiths, released today, said the governing body for the sport in Wales had agreed to "reducing the top tier of the professional game in Wales to six clubs as soon as is legally practicable".
That promise, which will be put into action at a WRU general committee tomorrow, had the required effect by ending the threat of an unprecedented strike.
"I was delighted to hear from Scott Quinnell, the captain of Wales, that he and his fellow national squad members will be available for selection for the fourth round of the Six Nations Championship against England at Twickenham next weekend," the statement added.
Llanelli number eight Quinnell, who will win his 50th international cap on Saturday, confirmed that the players would now be playing.