SO MUCH for the concept of justice being available to all.

Pontypool RFC yesterday found out the hard way that the legal system is often about who has the deepest pockets rather than who is right or wrong.

The club – still one of the most famous in the world – is battling the Welsh Rugby Union’s decision to relegate them from the nation’s top tier of club rugby.

It was a decision taken not on league position this season but on criteria including the standard of their ground, previous league performances and player development.

Sport should be about what happens on the pitch. If you are better than everyone else, you win the league. If you are the worst team, you get relegated.

The WRU has changed all that. And, as we have said before in this column, it is unfair.

Pontypool supporters have been contributing to a fighting fund to help the club’s legal action.

Yesterday a judge – at the behest of the WRU – ruled that Pooler have a week to prove they have £250,000 to cover the union’s costs.

What a joke.

How can a small Valleys rugby club possibly come up with so much money?

Pontypool say they will fight on. We admire their bravery but we also suspect the ruling will mean the end of their legal battle.

If that is the case then yesterday was a shameful day for British justice.