Dramatic last-ditch talks are being held today to try to avoid a strike by the top Welsh players.

Despite movement by the Welsh Rugby Union yesterday the threat of strike action for the Six Nations clash with England at Twickenham next Saturday is still on.

If the WRU fail to come up with the timetable for reducing the number of premier clubs the players will not train and will not be available to face England.

The WRU have agreed that six clubs only will form the Premier Division - exactly what the 'Gang of Six' clubs want, though the union will insist on choosing the six. But the big sticking point is the key phrase the WRU have added "when it is practicable'. That is completely unacceptable to the six clubs who held a frantic series of meetings yesterday.

"That is not acceptable. What does 'when practicable' mean?" asked Newport owner Tony Brown.

"It could be in two years or even in ten years when the loyalty agreement ends. "If things stay as they are I wouldn't imagine the feelings of the players will change. "We've got to get a structure in place, and there has to be a timetable." And Newport chief executive Keith Grainger said: "This does not give the club any business plan."

There is still a chance the dispute will be resolved as WRU chiefs and Premier Rugby Partnership representatives, led by Llanelli's Stuart Gallacher, hold more talks today.

But time is running out and unless agreement is reached by midday tomorrow Wales will almost certainly take on the might of England with a team made up of players from Caerphilly and First Division clubs.