NEWPORT and Ebbw Vale are no nearer reaching agreement on the name of the team to represent the new region in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup next season.

Ebbw Vale chairman and benefactor Marcus Russell, pictured, says the name is Gwent Rugby, but Newport backer Tony Brown insists there is no decision yet.

And Newport president Martin Hazell, who has taken over the reins in the region from Brown, believes the name of the side must be based on commercial realities.

Russell appeared to rule out any chance of the Newport name being resurrected in the new structure when he said, "the name is 'Gwent Rugby'. We are still discussing the possibility of a name being added, but have not yet agreed on anything".

But he indicated the additional name was likely to be in the nature of Lions or Tigers (though both of these appear to have been ruled out) rather than a club.

However, Brown stressed: "It would be totally wrong to say what the name is. There is some disagreement and it is still the subject of discussion.

"The WRU still haven't expressed a view about what the title should be, but Leicester may get upset about the name Gwent Tigers, especially when the sides meet in the Heineken Cup.

"There are ongoing discussions between Newport and Ebbw Vale, but Newport is a county borough in its own right."

Brown also admits the delay in deciding on the title is having an ad-verse effect on the whole marketing operation.

"It's all on hold until we agree a name. As long as the impasse goes on the longer it's going to be to attract people to the region," he said. "And until we know the name of the region, it's going to be more difficult to sell season tickets."

Hazell emphasises the importance of commercial reality. "The name has got to be a commercial decision and not based on a whim," he said.

"The name has definitely not been decided, and numerous other issues have got to be decided, but that will be done on a commercial basis. It has got to break even or it will be dead in the water."

Russell added: "We can't give a launch date yet because there are still matters to be concluded and we need to make sure it doesn't clash with other important news events." He also said work was progressing with the new Ebbw Vale team to play in the Welsh semi-professional Premier Division next season.

"We have appointed our coach in Gareth Nicholas (formerly of Caerphilly) and he is pulling things together," said Russell.

"Things may seem a bit quiet at the moment but that is largely because players are on R and R (rest and recuperation) and on holiday."

But he dismissed suggestions that the Ebbw Vale side would not be playing at Eugene Cross Park next season.

The region's new chief executive, David Jenkins, has admitted his frustration that continuing negotiations have delayed marketing initiatives with the Gwent region and with season ticket arrangements.

"We have many matters in place but are unable to progress with some of them at the moment," he said.

"It is frustrating, but I am confident everything will be sorted out soon."