Gravell says he would fight a merger 'tooth and nail'

Bridgend owner Leighton Samuel has insisted that the WRU were involved in the decision of Neath and Bridgend to agree to merge.

Glanmor Griffiths, chairman of the All Blacks and the WRU, was named by the Ravens' boss, and the latest developments will be discussed at Thursday's meeting of the Premiership management board.

It's about history, tradition and quite a lot of emotion Ray Gravell

Should the so-called 'Black Ravens' merger go ahead, it would almost certainly mean Llanelli and Swansea being thrown together, with fixtures being split between the new Morfa Stadium and Stradey Park.

But that suggestion has met with a furious response from Llanelli President Ray Gravell, who has branded the idea "unthinkable".

The former Scarlets, Wales and Lions centre told BBC Wales: "I couldn't contemplate the move, Llanelli Rugby Club is synonymous with Stradey Park.

"I haven't found anyone who's for this, it's about history, tradition and quite a lot of emotion.

"Llanelli has stood proudly for over 100 years, we reached the semi-final of the Heineken Cup last season and have beaten the best England can offer. Cardiff also did the Welsh clubs proud with their victory in Edinburgh last week.

"I'd fight (a merger with Swansea) tooth and nail."

Warning from Down Under

The plan was totally out of touch with the fans and with reality David Tapp

With the WRU in full reform mode under new chief executive David Moffett, Welsh rugby has received a warning from the experiences of Australian rugby league.

Moffett was chief executive of the ARL in the mid-1990s when they embarked on a controversial policy of rationalisation and club mergers.

They decided to reduce their 20+ teams to 14, a move that left no place for one of the league's founder clubs, South Sydney Rabbitohs.

David Tapp, the chief executive of the Rabbitohs, told BBC Wales: "The plan was totally out of touch with the fans and with reality.

"The Rabbitohs are the most famous and successful club in the history of the game. They had the largest support base, the biggest sponsorship and the most members - but there was no place for them.

"Our chairman George Piggins refused to accept a merger, so we were excluded from competition for two years.

"We raised millions of dollars from businesses and the fans and took the ARL through the courts. After two years we won a comprehensive victory and were allowed back into the league."