The EGM has been called by Beddau RFC and Bonymaen RFC in a bid to secure their promotion from Division One to the Premiership for season 2007–2008.

The clubs won the East and West First Division titles respectively, but they failed to meet the off-the-field criteria standards which clubs must achieve to be granted promotion into the top flight.

Those criteria standards were set early in 2005 as part of a strategic plan to improve player development, ground facilities and the administration and management of elite rugby teams in Wales.

The eve-of-meeting plea was issued jointly by the WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis and the WRU Chairman David Pickering, who will both outline the case for the Union at the EGM.

Roger Lewis said: "The WRU has a duty to protect and develop the game of rugby union in Wales and we must be fair to all our member clubs at all times.

"We fully recognise the emotional arguments for Beddau and Bonymaen because they have achieved so much on the field of play, but the rules of governance have to be obeyed.

"The senior management team and the Board of Directors of the WRU have studied the detail and history of the criteria extremely closely and we are certain our stand is right and fair to all the clubs involved.

"We must, at all times, stand by the constitutional rules and structures we agree as a body and ensure that our structures and order develop along lines and within systems any open and transparent organisation or corporation would recognise and adhere to.

"We must be seen to be acting honourably and ethically so that the WRU and our member clubs retain the respect of the wider community.

"The men, women and children who loyally follow and play our game have a right to know its running is in safe and secure hands. We live in an era where the competition for leisure time is immense and rugby union in Wales must retain its place as our national sport."

WRU Chairman David Pickering added: "It is right and proper that Beddau RFC and Bonymaen RFC can exercise their constitutional right to challenge the decisions of the WRU.

"We fully respect them and the clubs who have backed their request to be heard through the auspices of an Extraordinary General Meeting.

"I say that in the secure knowledge that the emotion of their case has clouded the facts which affect all the clubs and players involved in the Premiership and the First Divisions.

"Those facts point straight at the heart of this issue. They point at the unchallengeable reality which is that we, the WRU, agreed criteria standards early in 2005 and they have remained unchanged and unquestioned.

"Both Beddau and Bonymaen knew those criteria and today, here and now, they have not achieved the standards set within those criteria. To change them to reflect their success on the field of play would be an unacceptable slap in the face to all the other clubs, players and administrators who have honoured those criteria to the letter.

"Going forward we must work closely with the honourable men and women who are the backbone and lifeblood of Beddau and Bonymaen to make sure they get all the help and assistance we can give them to match their playing success with success in achieving the required criteria.

"Beddau and Bonymaen are important clubs with proud histories and we applaud and honour them for that. But we refuse to be swayed by that bond when we focus on the hard facts which govern the running or our game.

"The consequences of bending to the emotion of the Beddau and Bonymaen arguments will not be acceptable and, furthermore, will damage our image as a rugby nation.

"We are charged with governing the game in the best interests of all the stakeholders and in a way which reflects our responsibilities, our integrity and our professionalism.

"We will always listen to our clubs but the administrative executive and the elected Board of Directors of the WRU will always lead our organisation for the benefit of all our constituent parts including the spectators, players, clubs, sponsors and broadcasters.

"The union has no axe to grind on this issue and it is important to remember that the Beddau and Bonymaen request was turned down unanimously by the Board of Directors based on a three-hour meeting with the two clubs which covered all the facts.

"We look forward to an honourable and fair debate at the EGM but we urge all the delegates who attend to stay true to the facts and to back our case."

For the record the Special Motion being put to the meeting by Beddau and Bonymaen is:
"That the League Rules as issued on 19th July 2006 for the Season 2006–2007 be upheld. That Beddau RFC and Bonymaen RFC, the Champion Clubs of Division 1 East and 1 West, be promoted to the Premiership under the League Rules issued on 19th July 2006, which state that Beddau RFC and Bonymaen RFC be given until 30th June 2007 to show substantial progress to achieving the required Premiership Entry Criteria and any extra time needed to complete all works before the 2007–2008 season starts.

Steve Lewis's revised League Rules brought out on 29th September 2006, after the season started, be set aside.
No additional rule changes to be introduced by the WRU to prevent these promotions."