THE four Welsh regions are all set to take part in a revamped Powergen Cup competition with the top 12 English teams in the first half of next season, but there has been a delay in the announcement.

It was thought to be imminent, but it is understood continuing opposition from Wales' Celtic League partners Ireland has caused at least a postponement.

The Powergen Cup plan which has been worked out would involve the setting up of four pools of four teams, a Welsh region in each one, to be played on weekends free of Celtic League commitments from September to December.

There would then be two semi-finals and a final, so each team would be guaranteed three fixtures, though two of those could obviously be away.

Pools may also be regionalised, like three West country clubs, three London clubs and three Northern teams in the same group alongside with one Welsh region.

And each side would be guaranteed up to £200,000 from sponsorship and television rights, the last four teams attracting more, a deal which is making the new competition such an attractive proposition.

It is also stressed it would not interfere with the current structure of the Celtic League after reports suggested that would be reduced to a home or away competition. But there is sufficient leeway in the existing calendar to leave the Celtic League as it is now, home and away.

However, Ireland are still strongly opposed to Welsh participation in the Powergen Cup, believing it would dilute the Celtic Cup and would be the start of a far closer alignment of Wales with England.

The Irish have finally come around to making qualification of their leading three teams for the Heineken Cup competition through finishing places in the Celtic League.

Previously they had treated the league in a cavalier way, withdrawing their players from matches because of national training and conditioning interests and virtually picking their Heineken Cup teams themselves.

That, in turn, reduced the effectiveness of the Celtic League and did nothing to help its profile or attract sponsors.

Ironically, now that the Irish have finally come into line with Wales and Scotland, Wales are looking elsewhere, to England in fact, to increase their revenue streams and cash in on their new status as Grand Slam winners and Six Nations champions.

It all means a delay in the Powergen Cup announcement, but it is not expected to be terminal and the new format with Welsh involvement is still expected to go ahead in the near future.