Llandovery, Carmarthen Quins and Bedwas have made an urgent new plea to the WRU to include their second XVs in the national league structure, writes Huw S Thomas.

The three Premiership clubs are to contest the ruling body’s decision to refuse them entry into the secondary tier of the Welsh game and hope the Regulatory Committee will consider a presentation calling for a change to league regulations ahead of next season.

The three clubs are the only sides in the Premiership to have second XVs but are finding it increasingly difficult to get worthwhile fixtures for the teams.

The local reserve league involving the Quins and Drovers– the Carmarthenshire Tyres League –has not provided consistent and worthwhile fixtures, with games frequently called off - some at very short notice.

The result has been that players from both clubs are packing their boots to sign for other local clubs who feature in the lower national leagues.

Llandovery RFC Chairman Handel Davies is convinced that to stop this haemorrhage of players to lower division clubs the WRU must allow the Athletic to play in those lower leagues.

“We find it hard to accept that these players were developed by the club in the Junior Drovers and are now leaving us in search of regular, competitive rugby every Saturday.”

“It would be tragic if a Llandovery second XV were to fold because of lack of numbers and we must do everything to keep the Athletic going not only for the sake of the club but for the community at large.”

“There are areas of England like Somerset, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Dorset and Wiltshire where second, third and fourth XVs feature in the national leagues so I cannot see why the WRU has any objection to allowing the second XV of Premiership clubs play in lower leagues?”

“Along with the Quins and Bedwas, we will try to convince the WRU to allow us into the league structure to keep rugby alive and kicking at Church Bank, Carmarthen Park and Bridge Field.”