NO leading Welsh rugby club can set itself up in isolation, says Newport owner Tony Brown.

And he insists that Welsh rugby is finished unless there is a reduction in the number of clubs at the professional end of the game.

Brown pleads for Welsh rugby to unite and for an end to tribalism despite a decision last night by Newport Supporters Club to start a petition that the club should be allowed to stand alone in any future Welsh structure.

They have made that decision after being urged to do so in Tuesday's Argus.

But while Brown basically supports their decision and will even sign it, he virtually pours cold water over the plan.

"I met the committee of the supporters club last night and they expressed their reservations about the future of Newport and I noted what they said," commented Brown.

"They asked if I would object to them starting a petition. I was flattered that they asked me first, it would have been wrong of me not to listen.

"But we have all made mistakes, and that Gang of Six move was a nonsense in retrospect.

"It is wrong to isolate one club from the rest. Every club can put a case for it to stand alone but we should now forget tribalism and move forward.

"I am still trying to do what s best for Newport, but there can be no future for Welsh rugby unless there is a reduction in the number of clubs.

"We have to be able to get to four clubs or there is no future.

"The supporters are being told there is to be some sort of change after over 100 years, but I ask people to think what the alternatives are.

"If it had not been for the contribution of the board of directors, there wouldn't be a Newport Rugby Club but a supermarket instead."

Brown pours scorn on the Welsh Rugby Union and blames them for causing all the problems. "The pot is too small for this year, and it's going to be smaller for next," he said.

"The clubs and all of us have been carrying the can for the total lack of leadership and incompetence of the WRU.

"But it is desperately urgent Welsh rugby unites if we are to see the game go forward. Every club has got to make some form of concession."

Brown made his comments after yesterday's meeting of benefactors and another with WRU chief David Moffett when Moffett abandoned plans for a North Wales team, plus central contracts for players while the clubs made progress towards four merged teams.