Wales' players celebrate beating England in the 2009 Six Nations, but they lost out on a big pay day

By Gareth Lewis BBC Sport Wales

Wales' players could earn a £28,000-per-man cash bonus if the national side produces a clean sweep in the autumn international Test series.

BBC Wales has seen a copy of the lucrative match fee and win-bonus deal thrashed out by the players' union and the Welsh Rugby Union.

The document also reveals they narrowly missed another bumper pay day in June.

They would have doubled their match fee had they finished fifth or better in the IRB rankings, but were eighth.

The rewards for winning a Grand Slam in the Six Nations next year are even greater, with just under £65,000 per player the potential jackpot, a total bill to the WRU of just under £1.5m.

606: DEBATE How much should Wales' players be paid?

It is understood that this revelation has fuelled disquiet within the regions about the amount of money players can earn playing for the national side.

There is currently civil war between the Welsh Rugby Union and the four regions over how the game is being run and financed, with a High Court Case pending about the opening autumn international against New Zealand.

The high-profile Test, scheduled for 7 November, is being played outside the designated IRB window for international rugby.

The regions argue that their permission was needed before the fixture could be agreed, and because it was not, they do not have to release their players.

The WRU maintain that the deal has been transparent throughout.

Wales also take on Australia as well as Argentina and Samoa in November.

The All Blacks game is already a sell-out and could cost the WRU between £2.5m and £3m in ticket sales if it is called off.

The regions and WRU are also at loggerheads over the global financing of the sport and have yet to sign a new participation agreement - which would formalise their relationship - despite almost two years of talks.

The two sides have already clashed once in the High Court, with the WRU coming out on top last year.

The regions receive approximately £3m a season from the WRU, although there is some dispute over how the figures are calculated.

Senior regional figures argue that the bulk of the revenue, approximately £1.9m, comes via broadcasting deals and competition monies, and would prefer direct access to these funds rather than receiving them via the Union.

The benefits of a winning Wales can be measured both financially and for the boost they give to the brand A WRU spokesman

The regions would also like increased funding from the sport's governing body to keep top international players in Wales.

The match fees and win bonuses can, however, be seen as crucial in achieving just that, in the face of competition from rich French and English clubs.

The "play in Wales to play for Wale" policy has been endorsed by WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis, the WRU board and Wales coach Warren Gatland.

They argue that if players choose to play their rugby outside Wales then their chances of selection for the national side are reduced.

Foreign sides are under no obligation to release Welsh players for anything other than the minimum time required under IRB regulations, whereas the Welsh regions are far more generous over player release.

A WRU spokesman told the BBC: "We cannot comment on the specifics of a private document, but the benefits of a winning Wales can be measured both financially and for the boost they give to the brand; and therefore to Welsh rugby.

"It is important that we reward success, which clearly is a driving force for motivating a powerful national squad."

The lure of staying at home appears to be strong in two high-profile cases.

BBC Wales reported last week that Lions props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones had decided to commit their future to regional rugby, despite interest from abroad.

Sources close to both players, however, have stressed that financial considerations were not the primary reason for staying.

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