The Scarlets are facing an uncertain future © Getty Images

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The Welsh Rugby Union and the four regions are at loggerheads after the deadline for the Participation Agreement passed with no deal struck.

Both Regional Rugby Wales - the body representing the four Welsh regions - and the WRU issued statements on Tuesday, with both preaching different messages. A deadline of Tuesday evening had been set to add a further five years to the current Participation Agreement, taking it through to 2019.

The regions had always looked unlikely to meet that cut-off given the uncertainty over the make-up of the competitions they may compete in next season. In their statement, they claimed they were "astonished" they had been put in a position where if they signed a new agreement with the WRU they would be putting £16m at risk, due to the uncertainty over which tournaments the regions will be playing in next season.

RRW did offer an alternative deadline of January 31 to solve these issues, but the WRU made no allusions to that date in an incendiary response in which it stated its contractual relationship with the regions will end in June.

The WRU is committed to fielding teams in the Pro 12 and Heineken Cup, whatever incarnation they take place in next term, and it said Welsh teams will continue to play in those tournaments next season hinting at the possibility of new regions being set up under union control.

If the union did form new professional teams, it could opt to centrally contract players whose regional deals are set to expire in the summer - such as Sam Warburton, Adam Jones and Scott Williams - and place them with the franchise of their choice.

RRW had earlier warned the regions would be left with no option ''but to pursue further competition options immediately'', if no deal was agreed with the WRU.

RRW also reaffirmed its support for the Rugby Champions Cup; the alternative to the Heineken Cup proposed by the English clubs. The WRU, on the other hand, has thrown its weight, along with the French, Irish, Scottish and Italian unions, behind European Rugby Cup and the continuation of the Heineken Cup.

RRW claims the Rugby Champions Cup would generate a guaranteed £12m additional funding across the four regions over the next three years.

However, despite the difference in opinion RRW insists it still keen to work with the WRU.

"It continues to be the absolute intent and strong desire of RRW and the Regions to work with the WRU in progressing such a positive position for the next five years of professional Rugby in Wales, or indeed to discuss any proposals WRU themselves may have that could provide an even stronger platform for sustainable and competitive professional rugby across Wales.

"Without change, professional rugby in Wales will fall further and further behind the rest of the European game."

The WRU will meet on Thursday to discuss its next move with central contracts and the possibility of setting up new regions likely to be on the agenda.