PONTYPOOL want clarity from the Welsh Rugby Union about whether they will be challenging for the Swalec Championship title next season or battling in an expanded Principality Premiership.

Talks have taken place between clubs in the top flight and the WRU about increasing the league from 12 teams to 16.

There has been speculation that this could happen as soon as next season, with the governing body said to be keen to push through the change.

However, it would appear to be more likely that it would be in 2016/17 as there are ramifications for the Premiership, Championship and Division One, while things would get messy off the pitch when deciding the chosen four new boys.

Only three clubs in the Championship achieved the necessary A licence for promotion in 2014/15 – second-placed Swansea, fourth-placed RGC 1404 and fifth-placed Pooler.

That provides a quandary when making up the quartet – would champions Bargoed, whose failure to fulfil the criteria earned a reprieve for Premiership bottom club Newport, go up along with the trio or would big-spending Merthyr, who finished third?

Or would the Union ignore the A licence, or at least lower some of the demands to get one, and grant Bargoed and Merthyr an upgrade at the expense of fifth-placed Pooler?

That would be a kick in the teeth for Pontypool, who have rebuild dramatically since their 2012 demotion and subsequent costly High Court battle with the WRU.

The club finished 12th in the first season in the Championship, fourth in 2013/14 and fifth last year.

Under the stewardship of new head coach Louie Tonkin they have recruited strongly for the coming campaign and feel they are well placed to mount a challenge for silverware.

"It would be helpful to get some indication about the discussions and what we are going to be part of," said Pontypool chief executive Ben Jeffreys.

"We feel that we are ready for the challenge whether it's in the Championship or Premiership but it would be good for there to be a swift conclusion (to talks) because prolonged debates are to the detriment of our sport.

"We have worked extremely hard to obtain an A licence and have moved on from the dark days of the court case.

"We are really satisfied with the work done both on and off the field so are keen to demonstrate that in the coming season.

"We just need some information so that we can plan for our future but I feel it would be more sensible to stay as it is for another year so that everyone can understand the parameters for promotion over the course of a season.

"However, we will welcome whatever challenge we face."

The incredible rise of Merthyr has thrown a spanner in the works when it comes to the expansion of the Premiership, which has been mooted for some time.

The Ironmen, under the management of former Newport Gwent Dragons fly-half Lee Jarvis and ex-Cross Keys and Newport hooker Garry Horrigan, impressed in their first season in the Championship.

They have ambitious plans for a ground redevelopment and have been linked with a number of former internationals while Premiership clubs have been unable to compete with their offers.

Ebbw Vale have lost Rhys Downes to the Wern while Bedwas lock Phill Rees, the supporters' player of the year, is also on the move.

Change to the Premiership is now linked with a shift in Welsh representation in the British and Irish Cup.

Last season Newport Gwent Dragons, the Scarlets, Ospreys and Cardiff Blues had a heavy influence on the sides fielded by Cross Keys, Carmarthen Quins, Aberavon and Pontypridd.

In 2015/16 they are set to call a spade a spade and no longer compete under club names. That leaves all 12 Premiership teams with large gaps in their fixture list, hence the desire for more games by increasing the 16.