MERGED Welsh teams in the Heineken Cup next season will not be vetoed by France or England.

Reports surfaced at the weekend that French teams, in particular, will not support WRU chief David Moffett's plan for four provincial teams.

European rugby rules say that any country wishing to change the teams they enter must meet with the unanimous approval of all competing nations.

That raised the hopes of Welsh clubs who want to stand alone.

But Ebbw Vale chairman Marcus Russell has been reassured by English and French officials that neither would oppose merged clubs - what they would object to is four provincial teams under the control of the WRU with the players centrally contracted.

Club benefactors were due to meet Moffett for a second week runing today, but the meeting has been put back to Thursday although the clubs planned to talk amongst themselves today.

Russell will also represent Newport owner Tony Brown on Thursday, when Llanelli are again expected to insist on standing alone.

With Newport and Ebbw Vale and Bridgend and Neath reaching agreements and Cardiff and Pontypridd moving closer it leaves one major problem.

And that is Llanelli, who remain adamant they will not merge with anyone which, in turn, leaves Swansea in limbo.

Either Moffett will have to force a fourth merger through or Llanelli will stand alone, Swansea joining with Neath and Bridgend, but with the Scarlets receiving only half the money of the three merged teams.

As Brown indicated last week, the planned Newport-Ebbw Vale merger could bring the other Gwent sides under their umbrella, while the likelihood is that Rodney Parade will be their base.

The side will not be called Newport or Ebbw Vale, but have a Gwent content. Brown and Russell would form a board who would sort out players required - though honouring contracts, as well as coaches - a name and colours.

There would, in fact, be five teams representing both clubs, the senior team competing in the Heineken Cup - probably no Welsh representation in the Parker Pen competition - with Newport and Ebbw Vale in an all-Welsh premier or first division and development teams from both clubs as well.

So there could be room for all of the teams' coaches.