LAST month's Scottish independence referendum was never going to have an impact on the naming of the British and Irish Cup – they had already opted out in the summer.

The cross-border competition gets under way this weekend but it won't be blessed with the presence of Ayr, Heriot's, Gala or Melrose.

The Scots decided in June that the BIC would impact on their BT Premiership, so pulled their teams out so that they didn't compromise their domestic league.

It leaves you wondering about the future of the much-maligned and frequently-changed competition, which has featured 24 teams, then 32, then 24 again and is now 20 since its 2009 inception.

In 2012/13 all of the Principality Premiership clubs took part, some reluctantly, but now there is a Welsh team from each region.

Cross Keys will represent Newport Gwent Dragons once again and will boast a number of the region's players in their ranks.

That's needed in order to mix it with the professionals and it will be interesting to see if the in the future the Dragons, Scarlets, Cardiff Blues and Ospreys just enter A teams like their Irish counterparts, especially as the LV= looks unlikely to be played in World Cup year.

That would no doubt frustrate some, especially champions Pontypridd even though they field plenty of Blues, but it would solve a lot of problems.

The Dragons could use it to have a look at fringe players, their academy talent as well as a smattering of those impressing for Newport, Keys, Bedwas and Ebbw Vale while fixtures could be played at Pandy Park, Bridge Field and Eugene Cross Park.

It would save a club having to tell a stalwart he is sitting out a game because a full-timer is coming in and would also end the strange situation that leaves eight of the 12-strong Premiership with blank weekends while four teams take the field in the BIC.

The presence of regional A sides could also make the tournament, which has never had a sponsor, more attractive.

The BIC has been a fantastic tournament providing plenty of great memories for Welsh clubs but it needs the regions to take the lead.