NEWPORT'S hopes of a back door entry back into the Principality Cup competition have been dashed.

Their hopes rose yesterday after doubts were raised about the eligibility of flanker Dan Baugh, a second half replacement in last Friday's quarter-final which Cardiff won 20-14.

The confusion arose after the need to re-confirm registered overseas players by the January 31 deadline.

It appears Cardiff claimed their two players were Peter Muller and Semo Sititi, because Baugh had a serious knee injury at the time.

But WRU administrative officer Peter Owens has now admitted he made a mistake when he sent out an incorrect letter which claimed Baugh had been de-registered in favour of Setiti.

He says Cardiff had, in fact, registered Baugh and was included in their squad by January 31.

Owens has already handed in his notice and finishes with the WRU in June.

Newport could have enforced an inquiry, but that is not going to happen.

"After the matter was brought to our attention we have clarified the situation with the WRU, and we are assured everything was put in place correctly by Cardiff," said Newport team manager Jim McCreedy.

There were also problems in the previous round with Cardiff after flanker Rob Appleyard's appearance against Aberavon.

They had doubted Appleyard's availablity after a two-match ban which, in reality, included a friendly and an under-21 game.

Meanwhile a BBC Wales poll of over half the clubs in Wales reveals a likely stalemate over the number of clubs in the top flight at Sunday's extraordinary meeting.

They reveal the likely outcome is for the status quo to be maintained even the season after next with both the motion of six clubs, backed by the WRU, and 12 clubs, proposed by the First Division, thrown out.

But the poll revealed a huge 89% majority in favour of a complete overhaul of the WRU.

*Lock Mike Voyle, who had recovered from a neck injury, has damaged his back and is out of tonight's friendly against Scottish Second Division leaders Peebles at Rodney Parade (7.30pm). Joe Powell plays alongside teenager Luke Chateris.