Leading Wales players have threatened to boycott next Saturday's Six Nations match against England unless the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) stated aim of reducing the number of top-flight teams in the country from nine to six is confirmed in writing by midday Sunday.
Following a meeting Thursday, the WRU said it would agree to the reduction, hoping that announcement alone would stop a threatened player strike and ultimately create a playing structure that would allow Wales to compete on the world stage.
But the so-called 'Gang of Six' - Llanelli, Cardiff, Pontypridd, Newport, Swansea and Bridgend - are so angered by the WRU's refusal to sign a legally binding agreement that unless the governing body does just that by the Sunday deadline then the boycott will go ahead.
The WRU scheme means that six clubs next season will share a cash fund of STG9million pounds. Any club can apply to become a 'super six' team but must meet various on and off-field criteria.
It would appear that all the 'Gang of Six' are best-placed to meet those requirements which would mean Neath, Ebbw Vale and Caerphilly being frozen out of the top flight.
If the WRU produce the legally binding agreement, players will be released but if not, they will be withdrawn from Sunday's scheduled squad training session under Wales coach Steve Hansen.
Kiwi Hansen, only in charge of Wales until the end of the Six Nations, could find himself in a nightmare situation if the WRU fail to deliver the deal.
A boycott would leave him with only a small number of Welsh-based internationals and exiled players from which to choose his team.
AFP