DON'T rape the valleys of rugby, urges Pontypridd coach Lynn Howells while Newport counterpart Leigh Jones can't wait for the four province system to come in.

There could be problems about that with Pontypridd and Swansea considering legal action to prevent the plan going through because they believe they would be swallowed up.

Howells says there has to be major rugby played in the valleys of Wales.

"The valleys offer something different, it's a different culture and it would be awful if you lose it," he said.

"I don't care if it's at Pontypridd or Ebbw Vale or anywhere, but you can't lose it. "Everyone has raped the valleys and it's about time someone started putting something back in.

"We deserve better than we are getting at the moment and everyone in the area is very concerned about the future.

"They should make the decision a rugby one, not financial."

Jones, meanwhile, says he wants the new system up and running and believes it will strengthen the hand of coaches like himself.

"The game in Wales needs change and I wish they would get on with it," he said.

"If it comes off it will give coachespower they haven't had.

"In the past they haven't been able to control the environment as they would have liked.

"Now there will be keen competition for places if the new system comes in and players will have to toe the line because there will be others waiting for a chance."

Jones admitted all the uncertainty was affecting Newport's players, with the future of some thrown into the melting pot.

Howells also felt the uncertainty had affected his team's build-up to Saturday's Newport game.

"It's been hard keeping everyone's minds on the job and it was the quietest I have known our team in the build-up to a game," he said.

"The problems off the field are definitely affecting the players."

WRU chief David Moffett, whose four-team provincial franchise plan has been approved by the general committee and goes to an egm next month, has said he will back off if there is legal action.

Pontypridd and Swansea are considering their position, though Moffett says: "The only alternative is we stay at nine teams."

As if to understate that possibility Howells said: "The way rugby is being organised off the field we might find there are nine sides and we have got to be in the top five in the league for Europe."