Moffett was key to regional rugby and the demise of the Warriors
Former Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive David Moffett has savaged successor Roger Lewis' plans to reintroduce a fifth region in Wales.
"It's astonishing really, five regions can't be done," he told BBC Wales.
"There aren't enough players, there are already too many overseas players, and there isn't enough money in the game."
Moffett was the key mover in the decision to introduce regional rugby to Wales in 2003 and then to cull the Celtic Warriors region in 2004.
Lewis says that the Union are now actively seeking to re-establish a fifth region within the next few years.
A development region in north Wales is the favoured plan, although Lewis has not ruled out a new valleys side and says he would not have disbanded the Warriors if he could turn the clock back.
"Roger Lewis needs reminding that he was nowhere to be seen when we went through one of the most tumultuous periods in Welsh rugby, he was handed everything on a plate," said Moffett.
No personal tirades will deflect us from our core priorities
WRU response to Moffett
"As a direct result of the changes we had regional rugby, two Grand Slams in four years, problems solved over the Millennium Stadium debt and the Union in profit. None of that had anything to do with him."
A WRU spokesman said in response: "We will not get involved in trading insults, but it is important to point out that no personal tirades will deflect us from our core priorities.
"Those priorities are to put in place structures, systems and people to nurture and develop a winning Wales team which, in turn, will encourage participation in the game of rugby union so that it will long continue to be our national sport."
Plans for a fifth region have been propounded by Wales coach Warren Gatland, but he, too, was a target for Moffett's legendary ire.
"I like Warren and recommended him to Wales, but he should stick to coaching," said Moffett.
"One of Graham Henry's problems when he was coaching Wales was that he started to get involved with areas that were no concern of the national coach.
"Nothing has changed that would make a fifth region work, and it's an insult to north Wales to say that they should follow a development team who are likely to get thrashed most weeks.
"People have compared the idea to Connacht in Ireland, but no-one follows them.
"If they want to have a team up north, they should put the [Newport Gwent] Dragons up there."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?