The Welsh Rugby Union has announced a series of measures designed to strengthen the Welsh Premiership and increase links with the four regions.

Chief amongst these is a new permit system from next season to draft an unlimited number of regional or academy players to play for Premiership clubs.

The bottom Premiership side will face a relegation/promotion play-off against the Division One play-off winner.

Development teams will be created, with fixtures to include cross-border games.

These new teams will involve academy, regional and possibly Premiership players.

From the 2009/10 season the Premiership will contain a maximum of 14 teams, but that number could be reduced if clubs fail to meet agreed standards both on and off the field.

A strict set of criteria focusing on pitch quality, coaching, professional development, links with the regions, conditioning and match analysis will continue to be strengthened and developed.

The WRU will also launch a performance analysis project over the next three years to evaluate and monitor the standard of rugby in the Premiership.

The current limit of two non-Wales qualified players per squad will be maintained unless individual clubs have written consent from the Union.

The new measures follow a review - the first of three - commissioned by WRU chief executive Roger Lewis and were approved by the WRU board of directors on Wednesday.

The WRU elite performance director, Graeme Maw, welcomed the changes.

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"These changes represent an exciting and important step forward for this crucial division of Welsh rugby," Maw said.

"This initiative confirms the important place the Premiership has in the elite player pathway going forward.

"Players released by the four regions will also get to play at a level in the Premiership which will ensure they remain at the peak of their form.

"The changes will help deliver a standard of rugby which will attract the best players and give fans a division they will be proud to support."