IT looks like being a fight to the finish when the clubs take on the Welsh Rugby Union at an extraordinary meeting in Cardiff a week on Sunday.

Battle lines are being drawn up with increasing hostility on both sides and legal action is even possible from the two parties.

The WRU board is facing a vote of no confidence from the clubs on four main issues - the failure to appoint a new group chief executive, breaching the ticket allocation scheme, allowing the executive to make decisions without authority and failing to monitor the performance of the executive.

In addition, clubs' representative Howard Watkins of Caldicot, an ex-board member, has submitted a further list of complaints involving alleged financial misrepresentation, the unauthorised dismissal of former coach Mike Ruddock and misrepresentation of the details of Ruddock's contract.

The WRU have already received legal advice that at least one of the allegations is libellous and they could take appropriate steps.

But one of the speakers on behalf of the clubs will be Russell Jenkins of Cardiff HSOB and Crawshays RFC, a leading Cardiff solicitor.

He could even be opposed by Sir Tasker Watkins, the eminent former judge and ex-president of the WRU whose club is Glamorgan Wanderers and who may speak in support of the WRU.

And I understand that Glanmor Griffiths, who served the WRU for 18 years as chairman and treasurer and was the man behind the construction of the Millennium Stadium in time for the 1999 World Cup, will speak against the Union and its board.

He said he was joining family in Australia when he quit as WRU chairman, but remains in Wales and is president of Ogmore Vale.

Former WRU board members Watkins, Griffiths, Jenkins and David Rees (South Wales Police) are all believed to intend speaking out against the Union at the EGM in support of the motion of a vote of no confidence.

And I understand that some districts have already lined up replacement members to serve on an interim WRU board if the current one is turfed out of office a week on Sunday. Watkins is believed to be one of them for Gwent's District A.

But many clubs are believed to be supporting the WRU and believe there is no need for a vote of no confidence in the board.

In fact, a number have said they are convinced that the vote won't succeed and don't even intend turning up at the meeting which has alarmed WRU board members who are taking steps to ensure all their supportive clubs do attend.

But, indicating how nasty the whole business is becoming, a WRU source said: "It's getting very dirty. It's not about rugby any more, it's all about politics."