WELSH rugby's bright new future is on the brink of collapse, with the Premier clubs set to refuse the Welsh Rugby Union's final offer to fund five teams next season.

It means a nine-team Premier Division is right back on the agenda.

WRU group chief executive David Moffett revealed last night that the board had backed the new plan for five 'regional' teams -- Newport and Ebbw Vale, Neath and Swansea, Bridgend and Pontypridd, Llanelli and Cardiff.

Moffett refused to reveal the financial package offered to the five teams before informing the Premier clubs this morning.

But enquiries quickly revealed the sum to be £7.5m. The clubs had demanded £8m.

And it soon became obvious the clubs will not accept the WRU offer, throwing Welsh rugby back into the melting pot with the final deadline for the number of teams to be entered into European competition next Wednesday.

Ebbw Vale director Paul Russell, who was commercial director for US communications giants Andersen Consulting and played a leading role in the recent rugby negotiations, insists the WRU final offer will be rejected.

Within an hour of last night's WRU meeting ending he revealed he had spoken to four other clubs and all gave the deal the thumbs down.

"The Premier clubs have produced a plan for provincial rugby next year which is what David Moffett has been calling for. We have put it to the Union and they have told us they can't afford it," said Russell.

"We have told them the price tag is £8m and they have told us they haven't got it.

"Where is the extra half-a-million pounds going to come from? The Premier League is already being funded and supported to the tune of £6m by benefactors.

"Unless the WRU have a change of heart we will have nine teams in the Premier League next season. We don't want that, but if it's the only game in town we'll have to accept it.

"It will leave Welsh rugby in a very parlous state. Now is the time for realism. We were told six months ago and as recently as last Friday by David Moffett that £8m was on the table, but that he would have to go to the board."

One board member defiantly said: "£7.5m is our maximum offer in the first year after which we will look at £8m depending on us getting the same money from TV and Europe.

"But £7.5m is enough isn't it? We have all got to cut our cloth."

When I suggested to Moffett he had failed by ending up with a mixture of two super clubs and three provinces when he and Wales coach Steve Hansen wanted four teams, he replied:

"It's not failure getting a decision which is best for Welsh rugby. Llanelli will embrace North Wales which is a pretty big region.

"You don't always get what you want. I'll win some and I'll lose some. There's no point being personal, you move on.

"The board have been very supportive of the recommendation. We've gone from nine to five regions.

"We're on the edge, we have to go forward for the future of Welsh rugby. Now is the time to act with the April 2 deadline looming large."

But the clubs are about to put a huge spanner in the WRU works.