Llanelli voted against the plans

Around 6,000 Llanelli supporters have signed a petition opposing a merger with Swansea, and the Scarlets are ready to go to court to fight the plan.

But smaller clubs on Llanelli's doorstep say the club should accept the vote in favour of change proposed by WRU chief executive David Moffett.

Secretary of Llanelli Wanderers, Steve Pike, said his club had every sympathy with the Scarlets.

But he added that, because the vote was so overwhelming in favour of change, Llanelli should accept it.

"I was of the opinion that it would have been far better if the premier clubs could have sorted it out amongst themselves but that was not to be," he said.

I feel sympathy towards Llanelli, but they have got to jump on the band wagon and make this work Tony Williams

"I think the worry is the threat of litigation, but 99% of the rugby voting public have voted for change and this has to be the way forward.

"I have every sympathy for Llanelli as they are the only club in Wales that can turn around and say we have competed with the best in Europe and have competed successfully," he added.

Nearby Llangennech has made a similar plea.

"I feel sympathy towards Llanelli, but they have got to jump on the band wagon and make this work,'' said secretary Tony Williams.

"They've got to look forward for the good of the game and I think this is the way forward," he added.

WRU chief executive David Moffett

Division One side Narberth also voted for change.

"It's very well for the bigger clubs to say they may lose their identity, but they haven't done anything for the smaller clubs in the past," said Gareth Parker.

Llanelli chief executive Stuart Gallacher is set to meet with Mr Moffett to see if a compromise can be found.

But attempts to find a five region solution acceptable to all nine premier divisions clubs have proved unsuccessful to date.

"A rugby solution requires five not four teams," said Llanelli chairman Huw Evans.

"Designing a future based on two very strong regions and two weak regions could kill the game outside west Wales and the Cardiff area.

"Welsh rugby now finds itself in a position where the attempts to re-organise the professional game are as damaging as the underlying problems," he added.

Two other premier division clubs, Cardiff and Pontypridd, also voted against the plan.