THE pressure about the future of Welsh rugby is having an effect on the players, Newport coach Leigh Jones reveals today.

It is the first time a premier club official has admitted that the whole debate on the structure of Welsh rugby is getting to the players.

"I've been involved in a fair number of controversies at a number of clubs," said Jones, referring to financial problems when he was coach at Ebbw Vale.

That meant the club had to let go a number of leading players like Kingsley Jones and Byron Hayward, and coach Jones had to build a new team.

But Jones admits this time it is different. "It is affecting players more than anything I've ever known," he said.

"Players are normally great from day to day in their jobs, but this is having an effect. "It is a distraction and it doesn't help with motivation."

But Newport skipper Simon Raiwalui promises that he will give his all for the club this season - despite not knowing where he'll be playing next term.

The Fiji international is out of contract at the end of the season and, as an overseas player, a question mark hangs over his future now WRU chief David Moffett's plans were rubber stamped last night.