Ebbw Vale are bracing themselves for the most important 90 minutes of their season - but it won't be happening on the pitch.

The Steelmen beat Bridgend 21-20 on Saturday at Eugene Cross Park with former Caerphilly prop Mike Wilson turning out for Vale.

However, Caerphilly claim that Wilson was still their man through a special cause in his contract.

They also say that he hadn't completed the seven day 'cooling off' period, albeit by 90 minutes, that WRU rules state he must serve before playing for another club.

Vale, though, claim that they have done everything by the book and even say that Caerphilly released Wilson from his contract and that he served seven days before playing against Bridgend for them on Saturday.

In fact, Wilson last played for Caerphilly on Saturday January 5. That game finished at 4pm.

He then turned out for Ebbw Vale on Saturday January 12 at 2.30pm - six days, 22-and-half hours later.

"His contract stated that we required a month's notice and, in any case, a seven day waiting period has to be given to any club whose player is being approached," said Caerphilly team manager David Phillips.

"We wrote to the player, Ebbw Vale and the Welsh Rugby Union

"The matter is now being left in the hands of the WRU and we don't want to get involved in a slanging match with Ebbw Vale," he added.

The club are unhappy that a player of Mike Wilson's calibre has left them at such a crucial stage of the season.

However, Vale are convinced that they have done everything by the book and have branded Caerphilly's claim as ridiculous.

"Caerphilly breached his contract so he approached us and asked to play for us," said Ebbw Vale official Ray Harris.

"He has served the seven days notice and, as far as we are concerned, was available to play for us.

"The actual details of the contract and the reason for leaving are between Caerphilly and Mike Wilson and are really nothing to do with us.

"As far as losing the points we claimed on Saturday, that is just ridiculous as we feel we have done everything by the book."

The Welsh Rugby Union rules on the issue are clear.

They state: "Any transfer of a player must be effected by completing the appropriate transfer form which must be signed by the player and an authorised signatory of both clubs.

"If the transferring club fails or refuses to sign the transfer form, the transfer will nevertheless be effective after seven days, provided that the club to which the player is transferring has notified the Union in writing of the transfer."

The matter is now with the WRU who were informed by writing on Monday and will be left to decide whether Ebbw Vale are guilty of playing an ineligible player.