THE top Welsh clubs threatened to withdraw their leading players from the Wales team to face world champions Australia nine days ago, the Argus can reveal.

But though the clubs eventually backed down, the row between the Welsh management led by coach Graham Henry, supported by the leading clubs, over the reduction in the number of Premier teams is coming to a head.

The Argus revealed over a month ago that six clubs calling themselves Premier Rugby Partnership of Wales had formed a group and would threaten to withdraw their players for Wales.

The six are Cardiff, Swansea, Llanelli, Newport, Bridgend and Pontypridd, the latter invited only recently. That would leave Ebbw Vale, Neath and Caerphilly on the outside staring at the abyss.

The whole row has simmered since, but came to a head nearly a fortnight ago when two representatives of the six, believed to be Llanelli chief executive Stuart Gallacher and Cardiffs Rob Norster, met with WRU members on the league management committee.

I understand the clubs threatened to pull their players out of the Welsh team unless they were given a guarantee that the number of clubs in the top flight would be reduced to six next season.

It did not come to that, but more meetings were held last week between the clubs and the WRU.

It is believed those meetings were stormy and that the top clubs and the WRU are now on a collision course.

The WRU believe the threat by the clubs amounts to blackmail and are not likely to cave in to their demands.

But if they dont the six they have most of the international players under contract, not the WRU may well refuse to release their players to play for Wales in the Six Nations Championship in the new year.

If the WRU do back down they will face a massive compensation claim from Ebbw Vale, with whom they signed a 10-year deal three years ago, running into millions of pounds.

For it would mean Ebbw Vale, with over 100 years of history like Neath, though Neath are owned by the WRU, being cast adrift and their whole future put into question.

The WRU are also likely to have in front of them this week the report on the future of the game by a working party committee led by Sir Tasker Watkins.

That will carry big recommendations, but nothing like as explosive as the confrontation with the clubs.

Newport full back Matt Pini, whom it was feared might be out of action for the rest of the season after damaging a hand against Leinster on Saturday, could in fact be fit to face Llanelli on Friday.

A scan has revealed no break, but Pini remains in a lot of pain and is finding it very dificult to grip the ball, so Newport will leave a decision about his fitness for Friday until later in the week.

They intend to do the same with outside half Shane Howarth, whose stitched up damaged thumb remains very swollen.

"Both injuries are still causing us some concern," said Newport team manager Jim McCreedy.

Newport today confirmed they have asked the WRU disciplinary committee to investigate alleged acts of foul play by Leinster players Nathan Spooner and Trevor Brennan in Saturday's Celtic League quarter-final.

Leinster had previously cited Newport prop Adrian Garvey for alleged stamping on Spooner.

Newport have also warned their players that deliberate acts of foul play will not be tolerated by the management.

In a statement the club said: "The Newport management have interviewed the players alleged to have been involved in the incident and believe the injuries sustained by Nathan Spooner were not as a result of any deliberate or malicious act.

"All the players have been reminded of their responsibilities on the field of play and of the good reputation of Newport rugby club."