A NINE-team Premier Division -- that is the doomsday scenario facing Welsh rugby today when WRU group chief executive David Moffett and the clubs meet for perhaps the final time.

The deadline for entry into European competitions next season is Wednesday, and the clubs have unanimously rejected the five-team plan which the parties jointly agreed last week.

By Friday the clubs had changed their minds, informing a startled Moffett as he stepped down from the plane in Paris.

At a dramatic Press conference in the airport he described it as a sad day for Welsh rugby and insisted there was no more money available.

The clubs believe he promised them £8m for the five-team structure, but after saying he would try to get that amount he revealed £7.5m was the absolute ceiling.

By yesterday WRU officials were convinced there will be no resolution.

Some even suggest there is a hidden agenda in trying to get the numbers down to four or five super clubs by forcing rivals into bankruptcy.

For if it is to be nine, Moffett will cut their money to the minimum allowed for under the loyalty agreement some use as their defence mechanism.

That is a total of £4.62m, or around £500,000 per club which is a drop of £300,000 for some, including Newport, which would mean curtains.

Moffett has revealed domestic reasons for not following up an approach to become Football Association chief executive in succession to Adam Crozier. He says it was an approach rather than an offer, but is not interested despite a salary increase of around £100,000 from his current £200,000 .

Moffett and his new Australian fiance have settled in the Vale of Glamorgan where they have bought a farmhouse and are very happy.

Wales coach Steve Hansen has called on clubs not to overplay squad members because of summer internationals against Australia and New Zealand, plus Grand Slam winners England, Ireland and Scotland and then the World Cup.

Hansen, with a record of 12 defeats, including Wales' first Six Nations whitewash, and just four wins, wants clubs to limit appearances despite the fact they have rarely appeared for their clubs and will be needed for European qualification if it is to be nine teams.