David Moffett, left, wants restructuring

Fans are, broadly speaking, united in the view that the game in Wales is not healthy, that something needs to be done.

As if we needed reminding, Wales slumped to a shocking 30-22 defeat at the hands of the mighty forza rugby, Italy.

And with a few isolated exceptions - namely Llanelli - the big guns of club rugby in Wales have performed dismally in the Heineken Cup this season - Cardiff and Newport managed just two points between them.

The possible future of Welsh rugby: WRU favours four regional clubs in Europe Regional sides feeding players into Wales team No Welsh teams in Parker Pen trophies A top flight of 16 semi-pro clubs Divisions 1-7 amateur

Enter, stage left, the new chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, David Moffett, with his radical plans to shake-up the domestic game, for the good of the national side.

Mr Moffett has been seeking to gain support at grass roots level and on the international stage for his plans to have four regional sides, which would represent Wales in the Heineken Cup.

But why the need for a shake-up?

Well, the continued development of professional rugby in Wales is looking shaky, say many observers.

There is not enough money in the pot to continue underwriting club rugby at the top level and there are doubts about sustaining the numbers of players on expensive professional contracts.

Proud tradition: Llanelli want to remain independent

Currently, the WRU has �8.1m to divide up among the top clubs, but forecasts show the cost of maintaining clubs in Europe is estimated at �1.8m to �2m per club each season.

Simple maths dictate that means just four teams, not the current five, would compete in European competition.

Players would maintain their club links, but have much closer ties with the new look regional sides, which in turn would work closely with the Wales national team set up.

The aim is to have the best club players moving up to play at a higher, more intense level in Europe against the best club sides in an effort to improve playing standards.

'Rugby solution'

Clubs joining forces for new regional matches - such as Swansea and Neath - would share round the European matches.

Under the changes, the current domestic Welsh Premier Division would be made up of 16 semi-professional clubs - nine from the current top flight and seven of the best from Division One. They would receive a share of �800,000 from the WRU.

The new divisions one to seven would revert back to amateur status.

But Llanelli, representing the "rugby solution", is opposed to just four regional teams and on Friday announced a possible legal challenge against the WRU.

The Millennium Stadium

In a solicitor's letter to Mr Moffett, the club has pointed out a loyalty agreement between the WRU and the clubs, which runs up until August 2007.

Llanelli, who have an enviable playing record in Europe, want to remain free and independent to ply their trade in the Heineken Cup.

The alternative five-club plan would see Llanelli standing alone and four other regional sides of Cardiff; Swansea and Neath; Bridgend and Pontypridd; and Newport and Ebbw Vale, while Caerphilly might join Cardiff.

Meanwhile, the game's governing body is holding an extraordinary general meeting of Wales' 239 club sides on Sunday in Port Talbot to put the restructuring options to a vote.

A separate BBC Wales survey of many of the club sides showed a majority in favour of the four-club blueprint.

Llanelli argue four regional teams would take years to become established brands and to attract decent levels of sponsorship - and abandoning the current fifth club spot in Europe would be folly, the club claims.

So, the die is cast - change is afoot, but ahead lie pitched battles in smoke-filled rooms - and possibly in the courts - on what form those changes will take.

In a darker moment, David Moffett admitted the current league structure would remain next season if legal or other obstacles were put in the way.

Minds at Sunday's EGM meeting might be sharply focused by the result of the Wales v England match 24 hours earlier - only a positive result will lighten the mood of the clubs.