THE WELSH representation in next season’s British and Irish Cup is set to be rubber-stamped next week with Premiership Select XVs getting the go-ahead.

A meeting of the full board of the Welsh Rugby Union is likely to give the green light for composite teams from each of the Newport Gwent Dragons, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets to take part in the cross-border competition rather than individual clubs.

A new tournament will be established to ensure there are enough fixtures for teams in the 12-strong Principality Premiership with the top flight of club rugby likely to be increased to 16 in 2016/17, although it remains possible that a quartet could be upgraded for next season.

The Dragons reached swift consensus with Ebbw Vale, Cross Keys, Bedwas and Newport regarding the British and Irish Cup after extremely cordial meetings involving head coach Kingsley Jones and elite performance manager Huw Bevan.

They are set to play a group game at each of Eugene Cross Park, Pandy Park and Bridge Field and any knockout games at Rodney Parade.

It has been suggested that team could play in the old Monmouthshire colours – similar to the Dragons’ away jersey on 2013/14 – with players donning club socks.

The Dragons region had previously been represented by a club side – the highest-placed finisher or winners of a pre-season qualifying tournament – but last season was an uncomfortable hybrid of club and region.

Cross Keys took part in the tournament but academy talent was brought in from other Premiership clubs along with senior Dragons players in need of game time while academy coaches James Chapron and Shaun Connor joined head coach Greg Woods in the management team.

After losing in the final of the Gwent qualifying play-offs Newport re-arranged league fixtures which meant they had to play without captain Ollie Griffiths, the Dragons and Wales Under-20s openside instead playing for Keys in the BIC.