GWENT rugby is facing meltdown unless clubs start talking to each other about the future, warns a leading official as another side face up to a player-shortage crisis.

Struggling Garndiffaith have been 'made aware of their responsibilities' to the Welsh League after calling off a series of matches this season.

Clubs in the north of the former county in particular are finding it increasingly tough to even raise a side this season.

And that has seen Division Two team Oakdale and Division Seven East side Blaenau Gwent already calling it a day for this season and dropping out of the league.

Blaenau Gwent official Graham Bull believes time is running out for his area to get to grips with the desperate situation.

He stressed his club are financially sound but won't put their cash into players' pockets for the sake of having a team.

Bull said: "We have a player shortage but everyone, everywhere in this valley is struggling. This has been happening for years but there has been nothing done about it.

"All these clubs in this area have to start talking about where we want to go and what we want to do otherwise I can see some of them going under.

"Blaenau Gwent have dropped out this season but, next year, it could be Blaina or Abertillery.

"If you leave Abertillery on its own, you could have a Blaenau Gwent (regional) side to help everyone.

"It's all at sixes and sevens at the moment. Whoever holds the carrot gets the players."

Garndiffaith have found themselves in the same dire situation as the player shortage has forced them to postpone fixtures.

Now the Welsh Rugby Union have become aware of the Division Three East club's plight and have informally told them they have to sort things out.

The Lasgarn View club have said they are trying to do just that.

The Garn are rooted to the basement of their division and have not won a game so far this season.

They have been forced to call off five out of six matches because of player unavailability - the other was due to bad weather - and have shipped an average of over 51 points per fixture in the matches they have completed.

Garndiffaith are due to travel to Bridgend Athletic this Saturday after having to yet again postpone a fixture last weekend, this time with high-flying Penygraig.

A WRU spokesman said that they have knowledge of the situation, adding: "We have made the club aware of their responsibilities.

"They are aware of some concern from the Union and it's being addressed now."

Garn fixture secretary Mike Bath replied: "We've had a couple of front row problems and it has also been to do with (players) work and some not being available over Christmas."