England forwards coach Richard Cockerill believes the off-field issues and turmoil within the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) will bring the Wales playing group closer together.

Welsh players are threatening to strike for the Six Nations match-up with England next amid contract issues within the union. A meeting with the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association has already been scheduled for next week.

Wales’ four regions Cardiff, Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets, have put recruitment on hold as the budgets are not in place for the new financial agreement with the WRU, who are yet to confirm in writing.

Concerns amid uncertainty

Understandably the uncertainty has caused concerns among players, particularly those whose contracts are soon to expire.

Cockerill believes adversity brings teams together and expects a tough game in Cardiff.

“I think if anything it will probably galvanise them because they have their issues,” he said.

“I don’t really understand what the politics of it is, but from my experience, any hardship with a playing group generally brings them tighter together.

“We will start to get into Wales next week. We will treat them with respect, as we always do.

“England have always found it difficult in Cardiff, but we are preparing and getting our minds purely around that. What Wales are doing with their players is not really our concern.”

Difficult game in Cardiff

England has lost five of the last seven Tests in Cardiff and will face a wounded Wales side who have not gotten off to a good start in Warren Gatland’s second stint.

Cockerill is under no illusions of the challenge despite everything going on in Welsh rugby and expects a difficult challenge next weekend.

“I think if players feel they have to stick up for themselves, they stick up for themselves and do what they have to do,” he claimed.

“From an England end we are concentrating on training this week and we know how difficult it is going to be going to Cardiff.”