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.