DON'T let's get holier than thou over this for Welsh rugby needs Llanelli Scarlets, we can't have another major team going to the wall.

Sure, there's a faintly amusing and ironic side to their troubles for you do get a bit fed up of the Ray Gravells of this world chanting how west is best, and maybe they do try to laud it over the east and believe in their own pre-eminence down there.

Yes, they do get up your nose somewhat with an arrogance which some rarely attempt to even hide.

And how many times do the BBC recall the day in 1972 when Llanelli downed the All Blacks while completely overlooking how nine years earlier Newport were the ONLY side to beat a far better New Zealand team?

And I have to admit to having a bit of a dig at the S4C boys from down west who were at Rodney Parade on Saturday for coverage of Newport Gwent Dragons' game against Ulster.

On top of that, gales of laughter accompanied coach Paul Turner's after match televised comments about the Scarlets' plight when he said cryptically, "They shouldn't have spent all that money on all those players."

But don't forget that the Dragons themselves have been in this position before anyone here rejoices in another region's misfortunes.

They were forced into administration which resulted in the Welsh Rugby Union taking up a 50 per cent share in the company which they still have and about which more will emerge in the near future.

Nevertheless, the Scarlets have hardly been careful with the way they run their affairs, for they have been in trouble in the past, selling their ground to the WRU and then buying it back again.

And it always sticks in the throat how they charge for entry to their car park, something which never happens at Rodney Parade, for example, even if their area is much smaller.

They have also relied heavily on backer Huw Evans who has now decided to call it a day with his funding of the Scarlets and, indeed, wants some of his money back (how fortunate the Dragons were that Tony Brown left them debt free).

The Scarlets planned to raise the necessary finance by selling their historic ground for a housing development enabling them to build a new stadium nearby with the backing of Carmarthenshire County Council, who gave the scheme the go-ahead.

But local residents objected on the grounds of significant new traffic problems in the area plus the fact that Stradey is on a flood plain which prevents building going ahead.

The Welsh Assembly called the plan in for scrutiny and say it could be May before a decision is made by which time the Scarlets announced they may be gone.

Many believe it's a case of Llanelli arm twisting while others say they have cried wolf once too often.

Be that as it may, it is a serious situation which can't be allowed to continue and if the Assembly insist they won't be rushed into a decision then clearly the WRU are going to have to step in, just as they did with the Dragons.

We can't go down to three regions, more players can't be cast on to the scrapheap - the Scarlets have to survive.

And it's the last thing Welsh rugby needs at the start of a new season and only a year before the World Cup.

THEY don't make them like that any more.

I mean the Pontypool front row who were honoured at a marvellous Welsh Charitables tribute dinner in Cardiff on Friday night.

Bobby Windsor, Graham Price and Tony Charlie' Faulkner have long since earned their place in rugby's hall of fame.

Respected far and wide after their exploits for Pontypool, Wales and the British Lions, they were formidable and fearless.

Each scored a try for Wales at a time when front row forwards weren't meant to galavant about the field, and never for a moment did they neglect their duties in the dark and dingy areas of the scrum and elsewhere in the close exchanges.

Many of their deeds were recalled by a galaxy of speakers at the dinner, ranging from old adversary Peter Wheeler, Clive Rowlands, who more and more resembles someone straight out of the pulpit, John Dawes, Mike Watkins and a for once restrained David Bishop.

All the old stories came out, many of them hilarious with Windsor turning the air blue in every sense of the word.

Such is the esteem in which the terrific trio are held that Gareth Edwards, Barry John, JPR Williams, JJ Williams, Terry Cobner, Dai Morris, Bryn Meredith, Bleddyn Williams, Jack Matthews and many more were there to pay tribute.

It was pure nostalgia, but one sad note. What a pity the front row's great mentor Ray Prosser couldn't make it. He never did go in for that sort of thing, but I'd have sent one of his old dumper trucks to drag him there!