Proposals for four regional teams to take part in the Heineken Cup and Celtic League will go before the Premier clubs and the Welsh Rugby Union at the beginning of December.

A working party has been considering radical changes to help revitalise the game in Wales for many months.

But the dismal start to the season by Wales' Premier clubs against European opposition has accelerated the process.

Welsh clubs have managed just one win and a draw from 10 Heineken Cup matches, while only Pontypridd, Cardiff and Neath - a third of Welsh clubs involved - qualified for the Celtic League quarter-finals.

Former WRU secretary Ray Williams is delighted that provincial rugby is being seriously considered as a solution to Wales' problems.

"In a word 'Hallelujah!' This is something I've been advocating for at least four years," Williams said.

"It is the only possible way forward for Welsh rugby.

"I'm afraid we're stuck in a time warp - we're in a playing structure that is totally inadequate."

The WRU is thought to favour four new provincial sides based on Llanelli/west Wales, Swansea/Neath, Newport/Gwent, and Cardiff/Valleys.

Negotiations are ongoing, but the Premier clubs are though to favour five new sides based on Llanelli/west Wales, Swansea/Neath, Bridgend/Pontypridd, Newport/Ebbw Vale, and Cardiff/Caerphilly.

There have already been calls for Swansea and Neath to merge because of financial problems, a move backed by the likes of Wales skipper Colin Charvis.

The new teams will compete only in European and Celtic League competition, ensuring that the traditions and character of Welsh clubs can continue in a domestic league - similar to the Irish model.

"The tribalism of Welsh rugby will dictate that they will have to be regional teams," Williams said, adding that fixtures should be shared out around different grounds rather than just the biggest.

If the plan is approved by the Premier clubs and the WRU general committee, provincial sides could be in place for next season.

However, such a radical upheaval in Welsh rugby would also need to be given the green light by the majority of the 423 WRU voting members at an extraordinary general meeting.

Last April, a proposal to slim down the professional game to just six top-flight clubs was defeated by a majority of more than 3-1, 325 votes to 98.