BACK Marcus Russell of Ebbw Vale or back me -- that is what Newport owner and benefactor Tony Brown will tell Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive David Moffett next week.

The dispute over the name of the regional rugby team to play in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup competitions from next season has escalated seriously over the past 7 days.

Brown, with the support of thousands of fans, national and local politicians plus members of his own board, says Newport must be in the title.

But Vale chairman Russell wants the name to be Gwent and is unwilling for Newport to be in the name.

Moffett will have to intervene in the row when he returns from his French holiday next week. Brown makes no bones about how high the stakes have become and he says that without the support of Newport and himself Gwent rugby will be doomed.

"The WRU can either back Marcus Russell or myself," said Brown. "This is where we are, they have got to take one route or the other.

"If Newport is in the name we will ask those thousands of fans who have signed the petition to support it and we could have a vibrant regional club.

"You can't ignore the support base otherwise it won't be financially viable.

"The choice is to have a financially sound operation or the alternative of someone having to pick up an enormous amount of debt (caused by, Brown believes, a lack of supporters) because Gwent wouldn't have a hope in hell."

Brown is gratified by the numbers of fans who have signed the supporters' club petition for the Newport name to be in the title, with the final total expected to be in the region of 7,000.

"We have got to take into account the huge groundswell of opinion coming from all quarters of the city. I am very much aware of it," said Brown.

"But 50% of the region is owned by Ebbw Vale and 50% by Newport. We will say to the WRU that they can have a scenario where it is underwritten.

"You can't ignore the feelings, so they have to be prepared to call it Newport something because if the supporters boycott the region then it won't be financially viable.

"Taking into account all that, we are insisting Newport be recognised in the name. But because of the equal holding we have to go to the WRU for a ruling."

Brown has poured millions of his own money into Newport over the past four years and is willing, along with others, to back the regional team financially if Newport is in the title, buoyed by the massive support the 'cause' has received.

But if the WRU decide on the Gwent name and do not include Newport, it is believed Brown will quit and disappear from the Welsh game completely, leaving the regional team struggling to survive.

The Argus tried to obtain Mr Russell's comments, but were unable to contact him.

Pictured: Ebbw Vale benefactor Marcus Russell