Marcus Russell (pictured) has described yesterday's meeting between Welsh Premiership benefactors as a 'waste of time.'

With Cardiff and Llanelli stalling talks, Russell says the clubs are as divided as ever over the future direction of Welsh rugby.

Last month, Welsh Rugby Union chief executive David Moffett announced the nine Welsh top-flight clubs should merge into four provinces to play in the European Cup and Celtic League next season.

But the Moffett has challenged the disgruntled clubs to come up with an alternative proposition.

Gwent rivals Vale and Newport have been in successful talks to merge next season for European and Celtic competitions, despite being at loggerheads last season that even saw Newport owner Tony Brown prevented from entering Eugene Cross Park for a match. In a similar move, Bridgend and Neath have also provisionally agreed to unite.

The benefactors met yesterday, but Russell heard enough to convince him that the clubs are incapable of agreeing anything.

Russell claims Llanelli benefactor Huw Evans said he will not 'allow' Bridgend and Neath to merge and would also try to block any plans for Vale and Newport to join together for the competitions they have earmarked next season.

Llanelli are adamant their achievements in the Heineken Cup and Welsh domestic league should entitle them to stand alone and exempt them from a proposed merger with Swansea. Russell now believes Moffett should speak to the clubs individualy.

The WRU supremo is due to meet Premier club representatives at a meeting tomorrow followed by talks with the money men backing the leading teams in Wales, while there are rumours the WRU are set to hold an extraordinary general meeting on the provincial issue.

Russell said: "From our point of view, yesterday's meeting was a waste of time. "Cardiff and Llanelli made it clear they have no intentions of helping to reduce the number of clubs.

"It's now my view that we couldn't sit at the same table. They don't want to talk and the whole thing is divided.

"The owners can't speak as one so there can't be a meeting with the Union and I think David Moffett should speak to each club individually.

"I don't think it's a step backwards, but people have to understand that there needs to be change.

"Cardiff and Llanelli seem to think there is more money available for the professional game in Wales than there is. They are living in a fantasy world.

"They insist more money than the £7.5m per season has to be found by the WRU - but there is no more.

"Ebbw Vale and Newport have made it clear they will only combine if it makes sense financially to do so, which it does."

A Llanelli spokesman refused to comment on what he said was a private meeting.