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He even seemed to indicate neither Newport nor Vale would have any part in the region in future.

Speaking from Australia in the wake of the Dragons going into administration he presented a pessimistic scenario which makes the Dragons' survival more precarious than ever.

Talking about the administration move, he said: " I think it was unfortunately inevitable. They have been so dysfunctional from the day they were set up. I'm talking about Newport and Ebbw Vale here.

"It's sad and the players are going to be the ones caught in the midfdle of it.

"It's an absolute shambles and a complete mismanagement by both these organisations. They now see themselevs coming under the control of the administrator.

"We have some serious concerns that will be put to the administrator today.

"I can absolutely tell you that the Dragons will not re-emerge as a stand-alone Newport club. I've told Tony Brown and Marcus Hazell that time after time.

"If this is some ploy to try to achieve that then it won't work.

"We are committed to Gwent rugby and we want it to be successful.

"Despite all the off-the-field shenanigans you have a team that is standing fourth in the Celtic League and that is great credit to the coach Mike Ruddock and his players.

"We want to see regional rugby prosper across Wales and in Gwent - the first team out of the blocks - but now it has fallen apart."

"Whilst not impossible, it is extremely difficult to see how the WRU could support a regime in Gwent where either Ebbw Vale or Newport has an ongoing involvement, given their performances to date.

"We are, of course, very concerned for the players who find themsleves in this position through no fault of their own."

Asked if he would meet with Brown and Dragons chief executive David Jenkins in Australia, he said: "It's the administrator who is now in charge of running the Gwent region. I'm not sure what Tony Brown's role is, or will be.

"It isn't impossible that we can sit down with Newport, but I put it in the 'very unlikely' basket at the moment."

The Welsh Rugby Union also made it clear that now that the Dragons are in administration, the formal title of the team is Gwent Dragons and not Newport Gwent Dragons as the deal for the region to be renamed had not been fulfilled.

"The only solution before us is for the WRU to take back complete ownership and control of Gwent Rugby. They will be able to restore the good will necessary to make The Dragons a viable entity," said Russell.

"Ebbw Vale RFC are meeting with the WRU to discuss the plan for full Union control later this week."

Hazell and Paul Harding who, with Derek Howell of Pricewater-houseCoopers was appointed administrator of the Dragons yesterday, are also set for further talks with the WRU.

Harding has confirmed that Newport benefactor Tony Brown is to maintain his support for the region.

WRU general manager Steve Lewis commented: "It is our intention to make sure there is a viable, professional side representing South East Wales.

"But how that manifests itself, until we meet with the administrators we can't say."