BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Celtic | Merger plan sparks angry reaction

Llanelli have reacted angrily to a proposed merger between Bridgend and Neath rugby clubs.

The clubs revealed their audacious plan on Tuesday which would see the creation of one team competing in the Celtic League and European competitions.

Bridgend and Neath form alliance

According to some reports, the new side would be called the Black Ravens.

Discussion are on-going between the Welsh Rugby Union and the Premier clubs over the formation of provincial teams for next season.

Progress on any agreement has been painfully slow, so Neath and Bridgend have decided to take the bull by its horns.

But Llanelli chief executive Stuart Gallacher has described this latest proposal as a "loose cannon" idea.

"I'm amazed that the clubs have made an announcement when we are in the middle of the season and the middle of delicate negotiations," he said

We've been talking about reducing the number of teams for the last couple of seasons

Bridgend owner Leighton Samuel
"It's especially surprising when Neath are a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Welsh Rugby Union.

"Neath's officers are WRU officers so somebody at the WRU must have approved this."

But Bridgend owner Leighton Samuel has come out fighting to defend the proposal.

He says the clubs were forced to make the first move otherwise face the prospect of waiting "forever" for the WRU to make a decision.

Samuel also revealed that Neath and Bridgend had decided to act because they feared being swallowed up by the other clubs and losing their identity altogether.

He claims the other Premier clubs support a plan which would see the creation of five "super-clubs":

Cardiff merger with Caerphilly

Swansea merger with Neath

Newport merger with Ebbw Vale

Pontypridd merger with Bridgend

and Llanelli to remain the same

Samuel said his club and Neath are simply defending their corner as Gallacher would do if Llanelli's existence was threatened.

"We've been talking about reducing the number of teams for the last couple of seasons from nine to five or four....but it hasn't happened," said Samuel.

All we want as players is a decision to be made on the future of the game

Bridgend scrum-half Huw Harries
"We're getting close to the WRU EGM in January and we haven't achieved anything."

Neath director Mike Cuddy took a swipe at Gallacher for branding the merger plan as a "loose cannon" approach.

"It beggars belief that such comments could be made by the very individuals who earlier this year tried and failed to self-appoint themselves and their clubs as stand-alone provinces.

"It is clear that these people are continuing to act in their own self-interest and have not accepted the fact that perhaps such self-interest needs to be set aside if Welsh rugby is to progress."

Left behind

The WRU have made clear their desire to reduce the number of professional Welsh clubs playing at the top level of European competition.

New chief executive David Moffett has already warned that "probably no more than 150 players in Wales should get wages for playing the game".

Bridgend captain Huw Harries agrees with that viewpoint, and says the longer the delay in finding a solution, the longer Welsh rugby will be left behind.

"All we want as players is a decision to be made on the future of the game," said the former Wales A captain.

"We need to structure the game make the game viable and try to save Welsh rugby."


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