THE Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said yesterday it gave Pontypool RFC the opportunity to avoid incurring the huge legal costs they now face, if they had accepted an offer to “drop hands” inMay.

Pooler face a £400,000 bill for the union’s legal costs after losing their High Court challenge against relegation.

But the WRU said it gave the club the opportunity to settle the legal proceedings before the club would have incurred such a burden, by offering to “drop hands.”

This meant the WRU would have borne its “significant legal costs”

up to that date if the action was ended, but they had no response from the club.

In a statement released by the union yesterday the WRU said they “vigorously defended”

the legal challenge by Pontypool against their decision to reform the Premiership because the union needed to protect itself from bearing the legal cost of “risk-free” litigation.

The union’s statement, said: “The WRU wants to remind all member clubs that the monies it generates are all distributed into elite rugby, the community game and the maintenance and development of the Millennium Stadium.

“The WRU further reminds all member clubs of the constitutional methods that exist to resolve any disputes, which aim to avoid unnecessary and costly legal proceedings.”

Pontypool took the WRU to the High Court for what it felt was a breach of contract after the club were relegated from the Premiership based on criteria such as stadium facilities, and playing standards, which were originally set to reduce the Premiership to ten teams.

Camarthen Quins and Bridgend were then reinstated to balance up the number of clubs supporting each of Wales’ four professional regions (Scarlets, Ospreys, Blues and Dragons), a decision again which the club felt was unfair.

But the High Court said Pontypool failed to show the WRU had acted in breach of duty or contract and that Pontypool’s position was unchanged by the addition of the two extra clubs because they had a better playing record on theWRU meritocracy criteria.

WRU group chief executive, Roger Lewis, said: “The WRU is pleased and relieved for the sake of Welsh rugby that this matter has now been concluded and the reforms of the Premiership Division will go ahead.

“Pontypool RFC is an important club which boasts a proud history and I am confident that the players, coaches and supporters associated with the team will ensure the club strives for a bright and successful future.

“We can nowmove on together as one Union having put this matter firmly behind us.”