Wales' four regional teams will receive a new draft of the Welsh Rugby Union's Participation Agreement on Friday.

The WRU has had to resort to the courts in recent weeks over the release of players for internationals.

That has been a major sticking point in agreeing the new contract between the Union and its professional regions, represented by Regional Rugby Wales.

RRW was quick to criticise the WRU's public announcement on Thursday night of the draft's delivery to the regions.

The current Participation Agreement came into existence in 2007 and is set to run until May next year, although the WRU expects the existing terms of the contract to continue after that date if no new Agreement is reached.

606: DEBATE Have your say on the row

Lewis added that the draft was the result of four months of ongoing negotiations and contained a new funding structure for the four regions that would "significantly" increase their current funding.

RRW responded by saying: "Regional Rugby Wales is somewhat surprised that the WRU has chosen to announce to the media that the regions are to receive a document that we have yet to see sight of and outlining details of which we are currently unaware.

"This is not a very auspicious start to negotiations.

"We are also conscious that critical matters including coach and player development, governance and finance were not adequately covered during previous discussions with the WRU, which are the cause of current difficulties."

Wales' regions are already set to make a formal complaint to the International Rugby Board alleging that the WRU has not consulted them over new player release proposals.

Last month the WRU won a High Court order compelling the nation's four regions to release their Wales squad members to train under Gatland ahead of Saturday's autumn Tests opener against South Africa.

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