PONTYPOOL Rugby Club's Welsh First Division championship-winning team looks set to break up after all.

It is understood an insolvency expert last night told a players' meeting that the Bob Jude company running the club, Pontypool Premier Rugby Ltd., was likely to be wound up next week.

That would make it unlikely the players still owed wages since February would be able to get any compensation.

And under those circumstances a club source told me none of them would play for any new company formed by Mr Judge to run the club while most of the senior players would leave even if another company were formed with new people at the helm.

Until now the players, apart from record points scorer Byron Hayward, have stuck together awaiting the outcome of next week's court case.

But after last night's news the source told me: "There was a meeting of players with a specialist and it looks as though the writing is on the wall.

"There has been talk of another team being formed at Pontypool to replace Bob Jude's but it looks as though a lot of players will now go.

"I think the top players will leave, though I think the local boys will stay, particularly if Steve Jones is appointed coach under a new set-up, and that they will at least have around 16 players and the nucleus of a team to play in next season's Premier Division.

"Everyone is disappointed because the players feel we would have had a serious chance of winning the Premiership and maybe the Principality Cup as well.

"But rugby's now a professional sport and what's happening is the reality of life. I know two or three players are already committed elsewhere and there are likely to be others."

Those most likely to be the targets of other clubs and join Hayward in leaving include centre Jonathan Hawker, wing Len Woodard and centre John Devereaux.

But once a few move on the trickle could turn into a flood and leave Pontypool, whoever is in charge next season, with an uphill battle to put a strong team on the field.

A meeting of fans and players at Pontypool United's clubhouse on Sunday will discuss moves to keep the club going while the Welsh Rugby Union have said they will step in to assist once the court hearing result is known.