'Gang of Six' club row looms in Wales
December 5, 2001

The self-styled 'gang of six' Welsh clubs are reportedly threatening to scupper the country's chances of making an impact in the Six Nations by stopping its players appearing.

The unsubstantiated claims published in the Western Mail detail how Bridgend, Cardiff, Llanelli, Newport, Pontypridd and Swansea are understood to be considering the drastic move in an attempt to persuade the Welsh Rugby Union to approve their proposal to cut the number of top-flight Welsh clubs from nine to six.

The six clubs, under the guise of the recently formed Premier Rugby Partnership Wales want the funding that currently goes to Neath, Ebbw Vale and Caerphilly to be redirected to them, but their demand is sure to provoke a major confrontation with the WRU.

The WRU currently gives each club between about £400,000 and £500,000 per season but, a leading club official confirmed to the newspaper last night payment from the union has been delayed in recent months, forcing his side to change the date at which their players are paid by direct debit.

But a WRU spokesman said, "Any change in the union/club administration would be conducted with the approval of the premier management board, which is made up of four union members and four club representatives."

However, the threat to prevent PRPW players appearing for Wales breaks International Rugby Board rules, which dictate countries have first call on players.

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