Gareth Anscombe has lost his appeal against the wage band he has been placed in under the new pay system introduced by the Professional Rugby Board.
A Welsh Rugby Union appeals panel heard it last Friday but agreed with the verdict of the PRB which restricted the Six Nations Grand Slam winner to an offer of no more than £350,000 a year.
The 27-year-old, whose agent is former Wales lock Derwyn Jones, had expressed his unhappiness about the upheaval behind the scenes at the WRU over the new pay bands which have been introduced in an effort to curb wage inflation at the regions.
Anscombe had appealed on the grounds that players who have represented the Lions were capable of earning more than him, despite his status as Wales' leading number 10.
You can read how much Wales' best rugby players are now getting paid and exactly why Anscombe is not happy, here.
It’s understood he has been offered the highest wage he can earn in the pay band he was placed in by current team Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys.
Outside-half or full-back Anscombe, who has also been linked with a host of clubs in England and France, wants to stay in Wales to be able to play at the World Cup later this year.
He wants to play No.10 on a regular basis, but the Blues have often picked him at full-back to accommodate promising youngster Jarrod Evans at outside-half.
The Ospreys have offered him that opportunity and he has to decide whether they or the Blues are best for his continued development as a player.
Anscombe is generally happy at the Blues but will make the decision from a rugby point of view. He is known to have a close relationship with Ospreys backs coach Matt Sherratt, who he previously worked with at the Arms Park.
Big spenders Bristol Bears last week distanced themselves from making a £500,000 a year move for Anscombe.
He had also been linked with Bristol’s Gallagher Premiership neighbours Bath, but they have since given 2011 World Cup orchestrator Rhys Priestland a new contract.
Paris outfit Stade Francais were also alleged to have been interested but have signed Argentina general Nicolas Sanchez.
Anscombe’s National Dual Contract with the WRU and the Blues expires in June.
He would be ineligible for the World Cup in Japan if he signed a contract to leave Wales before the global showpiece because he doesn’t have the 60 caps exiles require to be picked.
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