Get the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

No resolutions were reached in the showdown talks between the regions and the Welsh Rugby Union at the Liberty Stadium tonight.

Union bosses including Roger Lewis, Josh Lewsey and David Pickering left Swansea making no comment but Blues chairman Peter Thomas insisted the two-hour summit had been a constructive meeting.

The Welsh Rugby Union and four regions had met amid the wreckage of the Heineken Cup saga and in the wake of yet more Wales internationals agreeing deals elsewhere.

“We talked about a variety of items and we continue to try and take it forward in the best interests of Welsh rugby." said Thomas.

“There will be further meetings and we must continue our dialogue and continue talking.

“The mood was good and everyone is responding in a very responsible manner. We are mindful of the difficulties we are all facing both from a player, sustainable business and competition point of view.

“The fact the English clubs are not playing in Europe and the French clubs are largely undecided means of course it is all very unsettling at the moment.

“But we continue as a responsible body to try and find the solutions."

Gallery: The Wales stars still playing for the Welsh regions

On the prospect of the Welsh regions breaking away to compete in an Anglo-Welsh tournament, Thomas added; “Frankly that needs a lot more discussion and it is better for Regional Rugby Wales to make further comment on that.

On trying to keep Wales captain Sam Warburton at the Blues at the end of next season after the flanker had given a deadline of today to come up with a reasonable deal, Thomas added: “Hopefully he will be staying in Cardiff, with the Blues and keep him in Wales.

“We are still pursuing that and trying to find the solutions and the best for the players and Welsh rugby.

“The same amount of money is on the table and it’s how we spend that money in the proper way."

But as the meeting ended, there were reports that star full-back Leigh Halfpenny had decided to quit Wales in favour of a move to France, with Clermont and Toulon said to be leading the chase.

The Welsh Rugby Union release a statement afterwards suggesting they hope the regions decide to continue with the Participation agreement by the deadline of December 31.

The statement read: "At the meeting of the Professional Regional Game Board today between the Welsh Rugby Union and the four Regional Organisations a range of topics were discussed.

"At this key moment for rugby in Wales the WRU continues to work hard in the best interests of Welsh rugby as a whole.

"It would be unfair on the fans, the players and all of Welsh rugby to make any further speculative comment at this time.

"However, the WRU remains hopeful that the Regions will decide to continue with the Participation Agreement by the deadline of 31st December 2013."