GWENT rugby fans face chaos next week when up to 600 train drivers go on strike on the day of Wales’ opening Six Nations match against England.

The rail union RMT confirmed yesterday that its drivers on Arriva Trains Wales will strike for 24 hours on Friday, February 4.

Gwent fans travelling to the match have been warned by Arriva Trains Wales to find alternative methods of getting to the game.

But Ms Tratten said that the action might be beneficial to local rugby clubs.

"The benefits might pour into the local towns and communities instead. We don't mind taking the business from Cardiff."

Arriva Trains Wales said it had expected to cater for around 32,000 passengers for the match which kicks off at 7.45pm next week.

It said it was "extremely disappointed" by RMT's announcement and urged the union to call off the strike.

The company said it had offered a pay increase of 12 percent over two years which would increase drivers’ salaries to £39,117 for a 35 hour four day average week.

Peter Leppard, the company’s operations and safety director, said 120 of its drivers are members of RMT and anticipates the other 500 will also not be at work.

Mr Leppard said fans will have no option but to drive to Cardiff which will have a significant impact on the city.

ATW drivers voted by 85 percent for action after negotiations, which started in May last year, failed to come to a resolution.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "RMT has rejected a further unacceptable offer from the company that would have left our members with an effective pay cut and which was loaded with strings."

"It is now for the company to recognise their anger and negotiate a just deal that delivers fair reward and a decent work/life balance."

Ruth Tratten, club secretary for Ebbw Vale Rugby Club, said the strike will not stop most people from still going to the match.

"By now most people have got their tickets so they're obliged to go.

"I don't blame the train drivers. They've picked the right time, but it now up to Arriva Trains Wales and drivers to get it sorted."

She added that the Valley line is there to get the people from the Ebbw Valley back and fourth to Cardiff and that rugby matches such as these are when it is most used.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Rail strike targets rugby fans

THE one day rail strike next month is obviously targeted to cause maximum disruption in Wales.

The row between Arriva Trains and the members of the RMT union over pay and conditions has rumbled on for some time now and following the latest breakdown in talks the strike has been called.

But the timing of it is designed to hit rugby fans travelling to the Millennium Stadium for the opening match of the Six Nations tournament, Wales v England.

It will cause major disruption for thousands of people.

For rugby fans from the valleys it means there will be no trains running on the Ebbw Valley line, hitting Arriva's takings pretty hard.

Given that it is the rugby fans who are being targeted in this way, it will be interesting to see their reactions.