THE Welsh Rugby Union and its First Division clubs are to meet again next week in a bid to resolve a dispute over splitting the division on a regional basis next season.

The vast majority of the clubs wish the division to remain as one with 16 members, but the WRU plan East and West divisions, each of 12 clubs.

Division One clubs say this is unconstitutional and not viable financially and it is one of the issues which has threatened to presage an extraordinary general meeting of the WRU and a possible vote of no confidence in WRU chairman David Pickering, chief executive Steve Lewis and the board.

The clubs claim the WRU moves to split the division were made without proper consultation.

Other issues which might result in an EGM are the WRU's handling of the dismissal of coach Mike Ruddock, their handling of the alleged black market sale of international tickets by clubs and the pay-off for former WRU chief David Moffett, a decision taken by a small minority of board members.

But at last night's meeting the WRU, represented by Lewis and another official, said they had taken legal advice and had been told they had the power to institute their proposals, though the clubs still maintain they are wrong.

And they invited the clubs to return next week with any counter proposals, though insisting six clubs would be promoted from the three regional Second Divisions next season and two relegated from the Premier, leaving 24 clubs to play in Division One.

"That being the case it is difficult, almost impossible, to see what solution we can come up with if the WRU stick to their guns," one club official told me.

"Various ideas were put forward but the meeting went on so late we had to agree to meet again next week.

"There was no talk or threat of an EGM, though one club did mention it as an option."