Rugby: 'Professionalism the way forward for Wales'

Wales will never again be a major force on the international scene unless professionalism both on and off the field is embraced, according to the clubs leading a movement to form a new professional order.

More than 240 clubs will attend an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Welsh Rugby Union in nine days to vote on the future of the game outlined in a handful of documents from various groups during the past four months.

But the organisation which embraces the so-called Gang of Six clubs - Rugby Partnership Wales - believe the major backers of their sides, who have pumped millions into the game, may walk away if they lose the vote on their plans to go it alone as professionals.

Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, Llanelli, Bridgend and Pontypridd have been accused of greed, and wanting Welsh Rugby Union cash all to themselves, by many outside their group.

But Llanelli chief executive Stuart Gallacher insisted: ‘‘The game is bankrupt here. We are probably paying 2,000 people to play rugby in Wales. That is more than any other country in the world.’’