The prospect of a strike by Wales' top players looks more likely after the so called 'gang of six' seek compliance from the Welsh Rugby Union over their demands for chnages in the game.

The dispute that could disrupt the remainder of Wales' Six Nations campaign is set to reach a head on Sunday when the international squad are due to gather ahead of their latest Championship clash.

In the latest twist of the dispute Ebbw Vale chief executive Ray Harris, whose club's Premiership future has been jeopardised by the Six's demands for more union money, claimed that the contents of a letter from the 'Six' to their players amounts to blackmail.

Harris told the Daily Mail, "We know that the owners of the Gang of Six have written to their players telling them they cannot afford to continue financing the game and asking them to withdraw their services from the Wales squad. Put in stark terms, the letter says: "Unless you withdraw your services from the national team, we might not be able to meet our commitments to you".

"Someone close to one of the Gang of Six backed that up, claiming that the threat was very clear:"Withdraw from the Scotland game or don't expect to be paid". When you get a letter like that, what else can you call it other than blackmail?

"I am convinced that the Welsh public would turn against the players and against the Gang of Six if they go ahead with a strike."

The Welsh Rugby Union's general committee meets today in yet another 'final' attempt to break the impasse over the six clubs'demand for their annual funding to be doubled to £1.5million per club.

The WRU are thought to have been assessing the legal ramifications of such a move, and will consider their options on Thursday evening.

However, Harris has already done his homework and insists his club have a watertight case.

"There is no way in this world we won't be in the Premier Division next season," he said. "We have signed a loyalty agreement with the WRU which is binding.

"The other clubs are hoping the WRU will rip up the agreement. We have already taken advice on the matter and if they do, we will take immediate legal action.

"If they lose it could cost them a huge sum."

Thursday's advert claimed it was 'ludicrous' to believe the elite clubs were being greedy in their attempts to generate more cash.

Harris, though, thinks otherwise and blames club owners for the mess.

"You can only offer contracts with the money you already have," he said.

"Two years down the road, you can't suddenly turn round and say 'Unless the WRU give us more money we can't honour the contract.

"There are complaints I agree with, such as the game being run by a smaller body.

"But they are looking eventually for as few as five professional clubs, even though at the moment they say the figure is seven.

"I don't believe that is right for Welsh rugby and that is why we are opposing this issue so strongly."

Wales team manager Alan Phillips can only wait and wonder how many of the national squad will report on Sunday to start preparations for the England match.

He said: 'The players are the meat in the sandwich. I feel sorry for them. They have mortgages to pay and families to look after. A decision has to be made sooner than later but I don't want say any more.'