THE WELSH Rugby Union and the administrators for Newport Gwent Dragons are to meet again after what were described as "productive" talks yesterday.

Dragons chairman Martyn Hazell said: "Negotiations are to continue but we hope we are moving towards a happy conclusion."

However, sources close to the Union claim the talks yesterday were far from friendly with a few home truths spoken on both sides.

No clear way forward was found, but Newport president Hazell and benefactor Tony Brown have made it clear they are not trying to force the WRU to allow Newport to become a stand alone club.

Hazell told the Argus only last week: "I am not asking for Newport to be a stand-alone club. I am trying to keep Newport Gwent Dragons going as a regional side based at Rodney Parade."

Based on WRU chief executive David Moffett's comments reported in the Argus yesterday that Newport would not stand alone and that he could not see a solution with either Newport or Ebbw Vale involved, it is difficult to see how progress can be made.

But the end of regional rugby in such a rugby hot-bed as East Wales is unthinkable.

Something and someone has to give - and soon!