Welsh Rugby Union chairman Glanmor Griffiths refused to bow to the overwhelming pressure to resign yesterday.

And Griffiths also revealed plans to centrally contract all the top players within the next 18 months, but again rejected the introduction of regional rugby.

"I don't feel the need to resign. We are a democratic organisation, I'm never 100% right nor 100% wrong.

"We've got to work together to find proposals acceptable to the clubs.

"I'm disappointed with the result. I thought it would be closer and I'm disappointed no-one got up to support the proposal. The ones who got up came from those opposing it.

"We were not bullied by the six, we have been debating it for months. Their demands went beyond that, like the control of international rugby, but we rejected that.

"But our professional people, like the coach, team manager and director of rugby came down to no more than six clubs.

"We have to accept the democratic decision. But the perceived threats by the players threatening to withdraw their services had a major feeling in the way people voted."

Dave Escott, the first division representative, called for resignations after the vote.

"The WRU should look at themselves. The general committee voted 16-5 in favour and those who voted for the Gang of Six should step down."

The vote shows nobody will be bulldozed. We need more time and we should have been debating the Sir Tasker Watkins' report today".

Griffiths pointed the way ahead for professional clubs with his day to day running of Neath where he said "We insist on working within budgets."

He said comparisons with England and their wealth were unfavourable: "Twickenham has 4,000 hospitality places whereas in Cardiff we sell 1,000".

Sir Tasker Watkins emphasised: "Economically Wales is bottom of the league in Europe.

"We have to realise where we are in the economic league. We've been paying people in excess of what England are paying which is ludicrous because the clubs have pitched payment too high."