WRU ponders central contract offers amid row with regions The Welsh Rugby Union is considering offering to centrally contract six of the country's top stars if they cannot agree deals to stay with their regions. The idea has been mooted amid on-going uncertainty caused by rows over regions' funding, a player exodus and cross-border competitions. Wales and British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton and Leigh Halfpenny are among the six. Wales' four regions have previously rejected the central contracts concept. The WRU has given Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons until today (20 December) to offer leading players contracts. What is a central contract? A player's contract is held by the Union and not by his club, province or region. The Union, who pays his wages, can then determine where, when and even what position he plays. New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, South Africa and Scotland all have their own variations of a central contract. If the regions fail to do so, the WRU is set to approach those players with a view to signing them up. With a host of Wales and Lions stars either playing in England or France - or set to do so for 2014 - the WRU fears more could follow. Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland is the latest player to be linked with a move away from Wales, in his case to Leicester. Priestland's Scarlets team-mate, centre, Scott Williams, Ospreys forward duo Adam Jones and Alun Wyn Jones are among those out of contract at the end of the 2013-14 season, as are Blues flanker Warburton and full-back team-mate Halfpenny. Scarlets allowed star wing George North to controversially join Northampton ahead of the current campaign, ending his contract in west Wales a year early. And Ospreys have agreed to Richard Hibbard ending his deal 12 months before it expires - he joins Gloucester for next season. The WRU has given RRW's members until 31 December, 2013 to sign a fresh Participation Agreement.