WELSH rugby's benefactors meet in Cardiff today amid crisis talks after Black Sabbath, with Newport owner Tony Brown pouring cold water on suggestions of a link with Bristol.

Three of Wales' top teams were trounced in the flagship Heineken Cup competition on Sunday, Newport, Cardiff and Swansea conceding 113 points and 14 tries at the hands of London Irish, Northampton and Bristol, respectively.

That is no kind of platform for the benefactors' meeting today ahead of a vital league management board meeting followed by WRU general committee meeting on Thursday.

That will be a defining moment for the future of Welsh rugby with new chief executive David Moffett expecting a firm plan from the clubs on future structure or he will put his four provinces idea to an extraordinary meeting of all 239 clubs next month.

Brown dismisses talk of a possible merger with Bristol, while at the same time welcoming the intervention of Moffett.

Newport have lost their place on the league management board with departing Keith Grainger's place taken by Roger Blyth of Swansea.

That and Brown's wish to cut back his huge financial commitment makes the Bristol connection all the more unlikely.

There had been some tenuous contact from across the bridge, Bristol no longer owning their ground and having problems meeting costs.

They also lost a court case, having to pay Joel Stransky £350,000 for alleged breach of contract.

But Brown says he has had no contact with their owner Malcol Pearce since the summer before last when the two teams played a friendly.

"It's one of those things put up to run, rather like the story about us taking over Rotherham last season," said Brown.

"After the experience we've all had in Welsh rugby if the opportunity came to go into England of course I would look at it extremely seriously.

"We have got to do something. In fairness to David Moffett he has cracked heads together which is what's needed.

"At least he's come in with something positive and specific. He has got a greater consensus than ever before that something has got to be done.

"We have got shareholders and season ticket holders to consider, and you're not going to get Ebbw Vale supporters coming to Newport.

"This is all going to take a couple of decades, but it's all about winning rugby, if a side is winning people will come and watch."

Brown also dismisses talk of clubs withholding players from Wales as a bargaining tool in the row over provincial rugby.

"The threat is always there, but no-one wants to use it," he said.

"The time has come to listen, it's not about confrontation, and we can't expect to get everything we want.

"It's premature, ridiculous and not helpful to talk about withdrawing players.

"It's the future we're talking about and who's going to pay, the WRU can't.

"There are lots of contracts with players, staff and clubs so a huge amount of goodwill is needed."

* Newport United will play Newport Saracens instead of Bath United at Rodney Parade tonight, kick off 7.30pm.