WALES coach Steve Hansen has backed the players over the strike threat which almost brought the game to its knees while team manager Alan Phillips has admitted they came close to selecting a second string team for Twickenham on Saturday.

Strike action was only avoided at the eleventh hour after the players held out for promises of an improved structure and financial security.

"We all know in Wales something needs to happen. The players have got frustrated and had their say," said Hansen. "If we get something out of it, that'll be good.

"I guess the players have shocked a few people by standing up and saying what they think.

"They're entitled to do that, because they're a big part of the game. There was strong enough feeling for them to stand up and be counted.

"You have to have sympathy for anybody is who is the meat in the sandwich. They are the ones who stood up and said 'let's get it sorted.'"

Phillips admitted the management had thought they would have to pick a weak team to go to Twickenham in view of the strike threat.

"It had crossed my mind about trying to pencil in a provisional team. If we had to take another team to Twickenham we would have," he said.

"It was sad to see it coming to this, but I suppose it had to. Perhaps now there will be a bright future for Welsh rugby.

"I suppose I was surprised the players went so far. Only time will tell if they were right or wrong, but at least they've stood up and been counted.

"The players have committed themselves to play at the weekend, that's it as far as they're concerned."

Neither Hansen nor Phillips expects the strike threats to have an effect on the Welsh team against England at Twickenham.

"I don't think it'll affect the performance because they're professional players. They have stuck their neck on the line and I applaud them for that," said Phillips.

"We have got nothing to lose against England, we can go there relaxed and try to play the Welsh way, one that has re-appeared in the last two games."

Hansen stressed: "I'm an understanding man, but it's all irrelevant now and we're concentrating on the Twickenham match.

"Taking England on any time is not the right time because they are a great side, but we need to find out where we are and measure ourselves.

"I've heard a lot about Twickenham (it will be Hansen's first visit), but the pitch is the same size as any other and the rules are the same, that's the attitude we'll be taking there.

"England are one of the top sides in the world with top quality players from 1-22, but I'm not hung up about them, there is great enthusiasm and excitement in our camp."

Matthew Watkins is the only Gwent player in the Wales A 22 to face England A at Bristol City's Ashton Gate ground on Friday night (7.30pm).

Wales A: A Durston (Bridgend), G Wyatt (Pontypridd), W Davies (Orrell), M Taylor (Swansea), J Bryant (Pontypridd), M Watkins (Newport), L Jarvis (Neath), C Warlow (Bridgend) or C Sweeney (Pontypridd), A Moore (Neath), R Powell (Cardiff), D Jones (Neath), M Madden (Llanelli), A Millward (Neath), G Williams (Bridgend) M Davies, R Sidoli (Pontypridd), V Cooper (Llanelli), G Llewellyn, B Sinkinson, N Bonner-Evans (Neath), M Owen (Pontypridd), G Thomas (Bath).