GWENT clubs are to ask the WRU to clarify and perhaps change the rules relating to the number of regional players who can play for a Premier Division side.

The move follows a meeting at Usk last night between the Gwent sides, Newport Gwent Dragons regional representatives and District A director of rugby John Williams.

Taking into account loan and permit players, it is apparently possible for nine players to be borrowed by a Premier side for any match.

But some Gwent clubs dispute this number and anyway cannot take advantage of it because the Dragons, since reorganisation, have just 30 squad players.

This means, with injuries, they have only one or two players available to play for Gwent's Premier sides on any given weekend.

Gwent sides are particularly concerned that this could work against them at the end of the season when relegation issues are determined.

"They feel disadvantaged as the Dragons are providers to seven clubs while Cardiff Blues, for example, have only Cardiff's Premier side to concern them and could provide nine players for a Cardiff Premier Division game," said Williams.

"Neath and Swansea Ospreys could provide four or five to the Neath and Swansea sides, but Gwent can't do this and that is a big concern.

"The clubs are to make representations to the Welsh Rugby Union with a view to them examining this.

"When the rules were drawn up I'm sure it was to enable regional players to get a game every week so that they are not sitting idly on the bench.

"But the way it is working is not fair by any standards at the moment."

Every Gwent Premier club was represented at last night's meeting which Williams described as "very positive."

"The Dragons explained they would help the Premier sides whenever they could, within the constraints of their squad," said Williams.

"The clubs also agreed to co-operate with each other. Nobody in Gwent wants to see one of the county's Premier sides relegated."

Two Gwent club officials the Argus spoke to agreed the meeting was positive and amicable and that everyone had agreed to work together in future.