Neath RFC have hit out at the Welsh Rugby Union and the Ospreys after they were refused entry into the new 10-team Elite Development Competition.
The Welsh All Blacks were one of 10 teams who officially applied but were the only ones to be denied access. Aberavon, Bridgend Ravens, Carmarthen Quins, Ebbw Vale, Llandovery, Newport, Pontypool, Swansea and RGC 1404 were the nine teams permitted entry. You can read full details here.
The WRU have left one place open, which means both Cardiff and Pontypridd, who did not initially put forward an expression of interest, have a late chance to apply. An official statement from Neath said they met with WRU executive director of rugby Nigel Walker, Head of Player Development John Alder, and community director Geraint John to discuss the matter.
SIGN UP: Get the new exclusive Inside Welsh rugby newsletter for full insight into what's really going on around all the big issues. This special offer will get you full access for the entire year for just £10 instead of £40.
READ MORE: Scarlets sign powerful South African forward with immediate effect
READ MORE: Wales' best team for the rest of the Six Nations after what we've just seen
They claim the reasons they were given for being denied entry were down to a negative credit rating and financial position, a business plan which was too ambitious, and a lack of a relationship with the Ospreys. Neath have also taken aim at the Ospreys claiming the lack of a relationship is not down to them.
"In relation to our lack of relationship with the Ospreys, we can say this is not from our end," read a Neath RFC statement. "Their U18s play consistently on the Lextan Gnoll.
"We have recently reached out to their new CEO (Lance Bradley) and offered them a great deal to play here this season, but they refused, for reasons that we have refuted to be true. The Ospreys have been reluctant to give us players for many years, and when we were in the Championship they asserted that if Neath get players, so should Tata, Trebanos, and Maesteg.
"Having won promotion to the Premiership they still won't give us any players."
The Ospreys insist Neath's statement was not an accurate reflection between both parties.
"While we understand Neath RFC's disappointment, both Neath RFC and the Ospreys are operating under new management, and we do not believe that the statement is an accurate reflection between these Neath RFC and Ospreys management teams," read an Ospreys statement. "We have requested that Neath RFC move what we consider to be inaccuracies and misleading statements regarding Ospreys and our CEO.
"Ospreys are keen to work with all the other clubs in our area, regardless of what level or league they play at or in."
Neath soon released a second statement claiming they wish to work closely with the Ospreys.
"Having had a very productive meeting with the Ospreys CEO, we discussed our mutual desires to work together," read a Neath RFC statement. "We are seeking grant funding for some redevelopment of facilities, especially after the current facilities were mentioned as the reasons they can't "pay to play" at our ground (changing room size and access for broadcasters).
"Upgrades are being made and some will be revealed very soon. To clarify, we would welcome a closer relationship between region and club and their CEO wishes for the same.
"Unfortunately for now, the WRU has given us some reasons we felt imperative to defend and explain to our fans."
Neath deny the financial arguments put forward by the WRU for not granting them access to the EDC. "We refuted the financial arguments and a newly formed community interest company made up of a well balanced five person board, which being a new entity starts with one major debt and a new credit rating," Neath's statement read.
"This one debt is to the WRU, comprised of "additional rent" from a 2004 deal from the previous administration. Having asked for a statement balance or loan agreement for a substantial time we have not been given clarity by the WRU themselves.
"To punish us then for an historic debt to them, seems unfair. The credit rating is just a snapshot of the past and now not relevant to our plans and backing moving forward."
Neath go on to say their five-year stadium and kit sponsors worth £60,000 and their £36,000 bar revenue covers the £105,000 matched funding needed to enter the EDC. "They say we don't meet these minimum requirements but this is not true," said Neath.
