Crisis talks are to take place at Pontypool RFC after the news that they must find £250,000 to cover a potential legal bill or face being relegated.

The club was told yesterday by Judge Justice Eady it has to pledge a guarantee that the Welsh Rugby Union’s huge costs would be covered in the High Court case it has brought to try to prevent relegation.

But former director of the club, Frank Stanton, said his understanding was the club would need to make a pledge to cover “reasonable costs” in the case.

The court would be the final arbitrator in what would be acceptable, but Mr Stanton said he believed around £75,000 could be enough.

Club directors will now be trying over the next 48 hours to form a plan of action on raising the money.

Mr Stanton said: “We believe the WRU’s estimated costs are excessive.

"In addition to their London-based legal team they have added further QCs and barristers.

"There isn’t a single club in the union who could meet the quarter of a million pounds being asked for.

“I know the union are desperate to get the case thrown out but I hope they are not trying to financially out-muscle us.

“I think that would set a dangerous precedent for other clubs wishing to challenge inconsistencies in their rulings.”

While no decision has yet been made on howto raise the money, it seems likely the club will have to turn to the public once more to help keep Pooler, who were champions of Wales five times between 1972-1988, in Wales’ top tier.

Mr Stanton, said: “I think we have a strong case but if people want to see Pontypool in court then they will need to make a contribution.”

Representatives of the club told the court it wouldn’t be able to cover such a cost if it was to lose the case.

Pontypool RFC’s barrister, Ian Rogers, told the court: “This is not Chelsea FC. These are people trying to run a rugby club for the good of the community, so people will have a club to support.”

Challenge to WRU’s ruling

THE club, which counts Wales and British Lions greats Graham Price, Bobby Windsor and Tony Faulkner among their former players, are challenging the WRU’s ruling which would see them relegated from the Welsh Premiership, as part of a shakeup of Welsh club rugby’s divisional structure.

The WRU assessed the 14 clubs that currently play in the Premiership and awarded licences to 12 of them based on factors such as youth development and stadium standards.

A WRU spokesman said: “The WRU does not feel it is appropriate to respond to any public comment on behalf of Pontypool at this stage other than to state that in defending this claim against it, the union will continue to comply with its obligations to the court and will remain mindful of the court timetable”.