WELSH rugby is on the brink of a crisis with the Welsh Rugby Union and three of the four regions falling out over the participation document or new charter.
Newport Gwent Dragons, Llanelli Scarlets and Cardiff Blues have still not been paid their monthly amount by the WRU five days after the date when it was due.
Those three regions have not signed the new deal, though Neath-Swansea Ospreys have.
Unless the situation is resolved quickly the players of the three regions in dispute will not be paid for this month because the major source of revenue will not be in the coffers of the regions.
The WRU are adamant that unless the document is signed the regions will not receive any money. The document is 60 pages long and covers everything from the appointment of coaches, to training schedules, player availability, overseas signings and individual breaks from the game, with the facility to fine regions if they break any of the clauses.
The dissenting regions are claiming the Union have moved the goalposts and there is even a suggestion that if the players are not paid it could come to a strike.
Meanwhile, the Dragons are set for a clean bill of health for Friday's Celtic League visit to Glasgow, who pipped Scottish rivals Edinburgh on Saturday.
Michael Owen, who missed the Dragons' victory over the Scarlets on Friday night, is set to return after recovering from a nasty cut near an eye.
Chris Anthony, a late withdrawal on Friday with a rib injury, is likely to be fit while Ross Beattie, who pulled out of the replacements with a knee strain, should recover.
Coach Chris Anderson confirmed the Leinster game at home a week Friday as Percy Montgomery's return. Skipper Jason Forster is after revenge for their 48-5 hiding from Glasgow at Hughenden in March.
"Last season was very disappointing there so motivation is high," he said. "But this is a new season and after getting the win we needed against the Scarlets we will go there with more confidence.
"We have got to put them away, but if we get it right we can do it. We had a bit more time with the set pieces in training last week, and we know if we do things right it will take a very good side to beat us."
Forster was knocked almost senseless by a short arm tackle from Scott Quinnell after an earlier disagreement between the pair, which earned the Scarlets number eight a yellow card which could well have been red.
But Forster dismissed it. "That's life, it's part and parcel of the game, you give them and you take them," he said.
Anderson added: "We'll work hard this week, we've still got plenty to do and we'll make sure we don't get carried away after one victory."
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