The Welsh Rugby Union has officially informed the Six Nations Committee and its Six Nations colleagues that it will not be entering a team into this season's 'A' team championship.
The decision to mothball the Wales A team was taken by the WRU Board of Directors at a meeting before Christmas as part of the Union's move to cut costs.
David Moffett, the Group Chief Executive of the WRU, has written to his counterparts in England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy, as well as to the chief executive of the Six Nations, to explain the position in Wales.
Wales A were due to have hosted England A at Wrexham on Friday, 21 February and Ireland A on Friday 21 March in Cardiff. They were also due to travel to play away games against Italy A in Cosenza on 14 February, Scotland A in Inverness on 7 March and France A in Brive on 28 March.
The WRU Annual Report for 2001/2002 shows that in the past two seasons the Wales A team has cost the WRU £497,643 to run. Matches played by the A team have generated £246,519 income in return.