PERCY Montgomery's contract will be honoured whether Welsh rugby goes provincial next season or not, insists Newport benefactor Tony Brown.

It is now almost inevitable that four or five district sides will be formed next season to represent Wales in the Heineken Cup and Celtic League.

And there is also speculation that the Welsh Rugby Union will place a restriction on the number of non-qualified Welsh players who can take part.

That will put the future of a number of players in jeopardy, and almost before Montgomery arrived yesterday, there was speculation about his future.

But Brown firmly laid any doubts to rest when he said: "Percy has signed a contract with Newport for two-and-a-half years and the club will honour that.

"He can only benefit Newport and Welsh rugby as a whole and have a big impact on the youngsters at the club.

"Every club has got a responsibility to honour the contracts of players.

"There can't be a debate about contractual obligations. Monty could help Welsh rugby move forward with his level of experience."

Brown also attacked the WRU.

"We'll see what they come up with. It's difficult to anticipate what the WRU will do, but whatever that is they will hold themselves up to ridicule," he said.

"It's very difficult for the WRU to give a guarantee about anything. If I needed it I wouldn't go to them because anything to do with the WRU has got potential problems."

Montgomery, as reported in later editions of yesterday's Argus, went straight to Rodney Parade yesterday prepared to train, though he ended up watching.

But he did train this morning with a view to playing some part in tomorrow's Welsh League game at Swansea, though the team will not be announced until shortly before the 5.30pm kick off.

"I'm glad to be here and I'll give it as much as I can," he said. "If the coach wants me to play against Swansea I'm ready."