Regional rugby body "staggered and disappointed" by Welsh Rugby Union claims

  • Wales
George North Credit: David Jones/PA Wire

The Welsh Rugby Union has claimed that the Scarlets tried selling star winger George North without telling him first.

It's an accusation made amid what looks set to be another turbulent time for the union and the four Welsh regions.

Mike Griffiths reports.

The claims were made in a statement released on Sunday morning - which also addressed the subject of centrally contracting regional players, and funding for the regions.

Elsewhere in today's statement, the WRU accuses the regional clubs of not providing a "meaningful response" to its proposal for centrally contracting Welsh qualified regional players.

It also comments on player transfers.

North in action for the Scarlets in December 2012 Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Regional Rugby Wales - the organisation representing the four Welsh rugby regions - has hit back at the WRU's claims.

The group accuses the WRU of "delaying the process" of establishing a Professional Regional Game Board, stating that a Memorandum of Understanding had been agreed in November 2012.