A QUESTION about the major new arrivals at the Welsh Rugby Union which has hardly received a mention - just who is going to pay for them all?

We've already seen yet another new coach appointed with New Zealander Warren Gatland the latest to take over in the hot seat - at an estimated £250,000-£300,000 a year for four years, making him probably the highest paid coach in world rugby.

Now comes an elite performance director in the unknown Graeme Maw, and he won't come at anything less than a six figure sum annually.

And, just in case Maw falls down on the rugby content of his job (funny that given the role is a rugby one), previous failing coach Nigel Davies has magically become head of rugby development.

He may still have been on the payroll as his contract wasn't up, but at what cost now in his new role?

And then there is the head honcho himself, the always beaming, master of the cliche Roger Lewis.

He is paid pretty handsomely, and at the Press conference to announce the appointment of Maw and Davies he uttered gleefully that Welsh rugby is now "the powerhouse of the world" and "we've got the right people in the right jobs at the right time" - pass me the sick bag Alice as the late, lamented columnist John Junor used to write.

So just how can the WRU afford all of it bearing in mind they are still over £40m in debt, they have lost the big football finals since Wembley has been completed and they had to pay former coach Gareth Jenkins off?

One way is to raise the price of international tickets, many to as much as £60, which is resulting in rebellion among the rank and file, resentful of such high prices especially after the way Wales were humiliated in the World Cup.

Tickets for Wales internationals, once a foregone conclusion as a sell-out, are now having to be advertised far and wide.

And what does the future hold for existing elite performance manager Mostyn Richards, overlooked for the top job, and coach development manager Leighton Morgan? Are there now too many chiefs?

How is Maw going to be received by the rank and file who will be suspicious about his non-rugby background? Will he really be able to influence top Welsh players?

More questions. Watch this space.