"THE hard work starts now" - that was the reaction of Newport chairman David Watkins to yesterday's 11th-hour agreement on a revolutionary new five-region structure for Welsh rugby from next season.

The premier clubs and Welsh Rugby Union chief executive David Moffett hammered out the deal less than 24 hours before the ERC (European Rugby Cup Ltd) deadline to name the Welsh sides to compete in Europe next season.

The deadlock was broken when Moffett apparently agreed to compromise on the clubs' demand for £8m and the WRU's offer of £7.5m, guaranteeing their sum for the first season only.

Now there will be a mass of meetings over the next few weeks between the new regional entities, players and the WRU to sort out the regional charters and things such as the new team names, coaches, playing staff, squad numbers and salary capping.

The next meeting of the clubs and the WRU will be in Bridgend tomorrow morning while Newport and Ebbw Vale will meet in the afternoon to discuss matters relating to their merger.

They have already decided all next season's regional fixtures will be staged at Rodney Parade.

"Now the hard work starts in putting together what is expected of Newport and Ebbw Vale," said Watkins.

"There is a board meeting at Newport tomorrow at 4pm at which all members will be present and we have invited Marcus and Paul Russell to come along as representatives of Ebbw Vale to discuss the fineries of the merger.

"We've all agreed this is the first step forward. What we have to do now is put into place something that is going to be acceptable to both clubs and Gwent in general.

"It's a bit like the Grand National. The tapes are up, we're off at last but we've still got a lot of fences to clear.

"The most important thing though is that we now know what the regions are and tomorrow morning discussions will take place with regard to squads, make-up of teams, salaries etc.

"The nucleus of players will be what's available to the partnerships in their areas.

"But until coaches are appointed and clubs say who they want, we are in no position really to say how the squads will be made up.

"However, I don't believe there is anything to stop us from recruiting from other regions while we will also fill up with players from other clubs within our region."

Watkins concluded: "This is merely the start. We have taken the most momentous step forward but there is a hell of a lot still to be done.

"Two to three weeks has been mentioned as a time to sort the other matters out. There are lots of things to be discussed and they have to be agreed in such a way that they cannot be broken, but I think that time suggestion is feasible."