Neath have not taken kindly to Chris O'Callaghan's comments

O'Callaghan released a tongue-in-cheek statement ahead of last weekend's Premiership match between the two clubs, saying: "I hate Neath so much that I've changed our kit to get rid of the black."

However, the Welsh All Backs failed to see the funny side and in an open letter to WRU chief David Moffett, demanded O'Callaghan "be brought to task for his unprofessional and disrespectful remarks".

The offending article was included in Aberavon's match-day programme before the home side's 18-43 defeat to Neath, and O'Callaghan supplied a spoken version for Scrum V the day after.

An extract from the offending Aberavon match-day programme

"It's right to hate Neath, it's a part of what we in Aberavon are all about - it's as natural as the stink from the steelworks and the lead that addles our brains," O'Callaghan said.

"I was born in Neath but I won't admit it, lived in Neath but want to forget it, and when I die I want to be buried face down on a mountain overlooking Neath with my arse poking out.

"Let the hatred wash over us, lets wallow in it for one afternoon - the Blacks are back and I for one have missed them badly."

Neath chairman and chief executive Geraint Hawkes accuses O'Callaghan of "trying to revive the hatred between the two clubs".

In the amateur days Aberavon versus Neath was one of the great Welsh derbies, but the two clubs were largely kept apart in the professional era.

We view the remarks as both inciting and condoning violence Neath chairman Geraint Hawkes

That is until this season's reorganisation caused by regional rugby, which saw the top half of the old Division One join the exisiting nine Welsh Premiership clubs in an expanded division.

"We are anxious to build bridges between the old Premier sides and the newly-promoted teams," Hawkes said.

"But during the week leading up to the game, Mr O'Callaghan continually tried to revive perceived 'hatreds' between the two clubs - presumably in a vain attempt to motivate his players.

"In addition to the offence caused, we also view the remarks as both inciting and condoning violence, thus bringing the game into disrepute.

"We feel that both Mr O'Callaghan personally, and Aberavon RFC as a club, should not be allowed to get away with making these comments."

O'Callaghan is also the coach of rugby league side Aberavon Fighting Irish, who enjoyed a fine Welsh Conference debut season by reaching the National Conference Play-off quarter-finals.