THE biggest disaster in over 100 years of Welsh rugby - that is what the introduction of regional rugby would be.

The call for it among some members of the media and some former players is reckless, bordering on the irresponsible.

For there would be only one outcome with Welsh rugby really on the scrapheap, down among the also-rans of world rugby.

Wales are not there yet, not quite, but if anything is guaranteed to put them, as Vernon Pugh says, alongside Romania and Russia, it is regional or district rugby.

I would have expected Graham Henry to take a different view because he is from New Zealand where the traditions are all about provinces and where club rugby counts for very little.

But coming from Welsh people with supposedly some understanding of the game, I find it utterly unbelievable.

History proves that there is absolutely no interest in Wales for anything remotely resembling regional rugby.

In the past it has been around in the shape of county rugby. Other than for a major match against a touring team like New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, county rugby was watched by 10 men and a dog.

Even tour matches usually ended in tears because there was no teamwork, no spirit and no cameraderie in a combined team.

Times may have moved on and we cant all stand still, but some things dont change and of one thing I am absolutely certain about is that regional rugby in Wales would sound the final death-knell.

Is anyone seriously going to suggest that teams like Gwent, West Wales and Mid-District would attract any support at all?

Apparently when objections were raised by clubs in front of Henry at one of last weeks meetings he replied, You dont get any support now.

That may apply to Swansea, Llanelli and Bridgend where support is low, but it is not the case at Newport or Cardiff where the fan base is flourishing.

Where would these teams play? Gwent could appear at various grounds around the county, it is claimed.

So is anyone really suggesting Gwent alternate between, say, Rodney Parade, Eugene Cross Park, Pandy Park, Pontypool Park and Newbridge Welfare Ground? Absolute madness. Who would be in charge, what would be the marketing operation? Who would put in hospitality boxes, ground advertising, entertainment complexes? All of that is essential towards promoting the modern game.

And where would the sense of identity be? Who is going to get excited about playing for Gwent or East or West Wales, and just who is going to support it? If Welsh rugby has anything going for it at all it is its tribalism, the involvement of the fans from one side or another, the banter, abuse even. Its all part of the game.

England seem to have managed very well out of its club system. County rugby has died a death the other side of the Severn Bridge where once it flourished. That is because there is no call for it - ditto Wales.

Ireland have always gone for provincial rugby and while the Scots have changed, support has been poor and it has been to the detriment of club rugby, causing a great deal of friction north of the border.

Basically, you have to play to your strengths and the strength of Welsh rugby domestically is through its clubs.

That is what the Sir Tasker Watkins report into the structure of the game will recommend.

The WRU president has a lifetimes experience in the game and with him on his committee is former great Gerald Davies and more recent Wales captain Gwyn Jones, who both know a little bit about the game.

The future of Welsh rugby has to be through its clubs, not through some rag-bag district set-up which would bring one thing and one thing only - ruination.