TWO Gwent rugby clubs were punished by the WRU yesterday after international tickets allocated to them were found for sale on eBay.

Trinant was one of nine clubs cautioned after an investigation into online touting. As a punishment, the club will not be able to buy extra tickets above their usual allocation this season.

Another Gwent club, Fleur-de-lys, had its ticket allocation cut. A third Gwent club, Ebbw Vale, was told it would need to provide detailed records at the end of the season showing how its ticket allocations had been distributed.

There was better news for Blaenavon and Pontllanfraith RFCs after the WRU decided to take no further action against them. They will continue to receive their normal allocation of tickets for internationals, including the upcoming Six Nations.

A total of 36 breaches of WRU ticket policy were investigated after tickets allocated to clubs found their way onto the online auction site.

They were for the recent matches at the Millennium Stadium, including Wales v South Africa and Wales v New Zealand.

Union officials were satisfied both clubs had taken sufficient internal action to deal with individuals responsible for the breach of WRU ticket policy.

"We have put practices in place to make sure there will be no repeat for the club," said Mike Williams, secretary of Pontllanfraith RFC. "We're pleased it's finally resolved and that our normal allocation of 100 tickets are not going to be affected."

Gavin Lawrence, chairman of Blaenavon RFC, said: "Obviously it's a very difficult thing to police.

"However, in future when we hand out tickets to every player, sponsor or supporter, we will include a written reminder of the WRU's policy on selling tickets."