EBBW Vale boss Marcus Russell insisted today that Welsh Rugby Union chief executive David Moffett's four regional sides plan for the future of Welsh rugby is the way ahead.

Russell was not at a meeting between Moffett and the Premier Welsh clubs this morning who will have further talks tomorrow, with a five club compromise apparently back on the agenda.

But, despite agreements being reached on Bridgend and Pontypridd merging under the five club proposals, Russell thought the plan would not go ahead.

The main stumbling blocks from today's meeting concern the way the financial pot is split and how much cash should go to stand alone clubs Llanelli and Cardiff.

The other big issue remains whether Neath should join with Swansea.

"This is a critical week for Welsh rugby and, if necessary, I will go to the last minute before Thursday's general committee meeting to reach and agreement," said Moffett.

Also under the Moffett proposals, the top three First Division sides would join a new semi-professional Premier Division, with the remaining 13 First Division sides having their financial support cut from £80,000 to £8,000.

Russell insisted: "I was not told of any Monday meeting and, anyway, I'm in France on business until Wednesday and Tony Brown (Newport's backer) is also away.

"The five club plan is dead in the water for financial reasons (it would require £9m from the WRU who insist they can only afford £6.7m).

Regarding Moffett's plan, he added: "The only thing we have in common with it is that there should be four entities."

Russell added: "We have consistently said there are only enough resources to support four entities. One of those entities is Newport/Ebbw Vale.

"I can't talk for the other clubs, but, as far as Newport and Ebbw Vale are concerned, we are ready and willing to sit down with anybody in the WRU and put forward ideas we have for the next stage.

"We are very confident the Union will agree with the way we want to do it.

"They have so far been very encouraging.

"It's up to David Moffett to sort out the problems in other parts of Wales and good luck to him on that. "But there are no problems in our area."

Russell insisted Wales coach Steve Hansen had to be involved in any talks on the future.

Under Moffett's four provinces scheme, the national coach would select the sides together with their coaches. "It's not a blueprint," insisted Russell.

"In David Moffett's words, this was just something he'd cobbled together.

"Two weeks ago, he presented something that there was going to be a province in North Wales, so why all of a sudden are we saying this is the final blueprint?

"All he'll present on Thursday (to the WRU general committee) is that we should have four entities.

The committee will be voting for the principle of the thing. He can't present anything more detailed than that.

"But thank God David Moffett is there. He's very aware of the problems and is trying to sort them out as quickly as he can and Tony Brown and I totally support him."