WELSH Rugby Union chief executive David Moffett (pictured) was today due to hold a compulsory meeting of both sides to try to sort out the mess which is the new Gwent regional set-up.

"Put your egos to one side and get on with it," was Moffett's message today to the Newport and Ebbw Vale benefactors still arguing over the new region's name.

But interestingly Welsh rugby's chief administrator did not rule out either the names of Newport or Ebbw Vale being in the regional title.

"That is a decision for them," he told the Argus. "No-one has said Gwent must be in the title. All we have said is it must be a name that is marketable."

Newport boss Tony Brown said on Saturday that Moffett would have to adjudicate between himself and Vale supremo Marcus Russell in the dispute which is holding up the signing of players and marketing initiatives.

He said he would write to Moffett on those lines, but the frustrated and annoyed chief said yesterday: "Tony Brown won't need to write a letter.

"I have called a compulsory meeting of both sides to get the matter resolved.

"This has now gone beyond a joke. We are in danger of alienating current and future supporters and I am determined to put something in place.

"There is no going back on the five regions. All the clubs supported it.

"The Gwent region must sort itself out for the future of Welsh rugby."

He added: "I can understand some of the frustration and feeling concerned because the region was first out of the blocks and since then things have not gone as well as had been hoped.

"But the five-region option was not one the Welsh Rugby Union put forward. "We put forward four regions.

"It was only when the nine Premier clubs agreed to put a case together for five regions that we went back to the general committee and they agreed to that.

"So people should not forget how we arrived at where we are today.

"One thing I have learned in Welsh rugby is that if you sit in a room and reach an agreement you have not necessarily reached an agreement.

"But with me that is precisely what you have done. I'm not playing silly games.

"This must be resolved quickly because without it the European Cup and Celtic League can't move ahead.

"It is vital we do move forward and we need the Gwent regional area to be part of the solution and not part of the problem."

Moffett said the new semi-professional Premier Division next season meant every single club would retain its name and identity.

But on the name of the Gwent region, he said: "Nothing has been decided and nothing ruled out. The choice of name is theirs. They can come up with anything that's marketable."

He added: "I come from a background (New Zealand) where regional rugby and changes of name has worked. There were eight changes of team names and they gave us a hiding. My only concern is Wales, Wales, Wales.

"I am in favour of the next Wales coach being Welsh and, if he's good enough, I'm in favour of the next chief executive being Welsh.

"But before then we have to sort out this current issue.

"Teams in France and Ireland want to market things for next season but they can't because they don't know the names of the teams they are playing. I hope people will leave their egos at the door before coming to the meeting I've called."