Justin Tipuric seems increasingly likely to stay with the Ospreys after having his salary valuation increased by a Welsh rugby panel.
The Wales openside has been linked with a £500,000-year move to Bristol Bears, while Lyon are also said to have been tracking him.
A lower-than-expected valuation from the panel made up of representatives from the Welsh Rugby Union and the Professional Rugby Board heightened fears Tipuric could leave the Welsh game.
But it is understood the master back-row craftsman’s representatives have since won an appeal for his wage rating to be improved.
It is thought the Ospreys supported the move.
As a Lion, Tipuric would be expected to be valued at anywhere between £250,000 and £450,000. Alun Wyn Jones and Liam Williams are thought to be in the top rank of Welsh players, with Williams set to be on around £400,000 when he returns to the Scarlets, and the argument is believed to have been made that the ultra-consistent Tipuric should be thought of as gold-standard, too. You can read more about how the salaries are decided here.
Few would argue against the 73-cap player meriting such status, with Tipuric having performed majestically in the opening two rounds of the Six Nations, not missing a single tackle in 36 attempts.
Some will wonder why there was ever an issue in the first place. Of the five most-capped Wales flankers based on starts, the current Ospreys captain's win percentage of 73.25 is close on 20 percentage points clear of his nearest rival.
He is a player who commands respect across world rugby and in upgrading his valuation, the panel have removed a major obstacle to his remaining in Wales.
Not that money has ever been the sole consideration for the man who sports distinctive Trebanos-blue headgear, with Tipuric wanting to make sure the Ospreys’ ambitions align with his own.
He is also a player who relishes playing for his home region and is seen as an icon in the local community.
The Ospreys have long been optimistic he would remain at the Liberty, and the chances of such a scenario unfolding have now significantly improved, with negotiations believed to be well-advanced.
