THE latest twist in the quarrel between the Welsh Rugby Union and the four regions over the release of players for the autumn internationals, has seen the WRU appeal to the regions to answer a 'final request' to attend a meeting this morning to resolve their differences.

Coach Warren Gatland has asked for Wales players to be released for squad training on Monday ahead of the four internationals which begins on November 8 with the clash with world champions South Africa.

But the Newport Gwent Dragons, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets have refused, partly because they want to keep their players for the final pool round of EDF Energy Cup matches the weekend before the Springbok matches.

The WRU statement comes after David Moffett, interim chief executive of Regional Rugby Wales, launched an astonishing attack on the union's chief executive Roger Lewis in which he claimed his telephone calls to ask for a meeting went unanswered.

In a statement just released, the WRU state: "They are prepared to talk to any representative with decision making authority at an agreed venue this morning.

"The WRU request follows a series of letters to the regions during the week asking for them to adhere to a compromise release schedule put forward on Wednesday October the 15th.

"That compromise schedule asks the regions to release their players for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before being released from international training on Thursday and Friday to prepare for their weekend games."

The statement goes on to say: "Regions are reminded that a draft Participation Agreement is now being finalised and all discussions related to that important contract can take place according to previously agreed schedules.

"For that reason the WRU is urging the Regions, in the interests of Welsh rugby, to regard player release as an isolated issue which must be resolved today."