Welsh Rugby Union chiefs are "disappointed" with the decision to condense the Six Nations Championship into seven weeks.

However, Wales head coach Graham Henry backed the plan, which shrinks the competition from its original nine weeks, solely on "rugby grounds."

The Six Nations committee met in Paris yesterday and accepted the proposal, which will come into force in 2003, to ease the burden on players having to juggle Test matches with club commitments.

Of the national bodies involved, only the WRU objected to the change. They were concerned over the implications for rugby fans and the impact injuries could have on Wales' chances of possible Six Nations glory.

WRU secretary Dennis Golman said: "We are disappointed the Six Nations committee made this decision because we felt we already had the ideal format.

"The union made its decision in good faith with the intention of protecting the interests of players and our supporters, as Wales' travelling fans out-number all other countries in the event."

But coach Henry said: "I think it's going to be good for us because we are going to be together for seven weeks.

"I believe we can make progress when we are together for a long period and history has shown that."

Matches will be played on the first, second, fourth, sixth and seventh weekends of the event, with the 2003 campaign opening on the weekend of February 15.

It is envisaged that the final round of matches will always be played at the end of March.