Newbridge and Blackwood are among the six semi-professional and amateur Welsh rugby clubs that have paid their players, according to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).
Claims of payments to players at semi-professional and amateur levels in Wales has been well documented over the last few years by journalists, owners and players themselves.
Since those claims, the WRU has introduced the ‘Statement of Truth’ which all clubs must sign at the start of each season to receive a core grant payment.
Newbridge and Blackwood, as well as Brecon, Glamorgan Wanderers, Tata Steel and Narberth failed to sign the form.
Reacting to the allegations, Chairman of Blackwood RFC Kenvin Morris hit back at the WRU and said: “I’m a bit down about it to be honest and the question I’d like to ask the WRU is why there is only six clubs involved in this?”
The WRU’s group business and commercial development manager John Howells notified all clubs in Wales in a letter, in which he named the clubs that have failed to sign the Statement of Truth.
Mr Howells’s letter said: “If a member club decides that it wishes to pay its players for the forthcoming season, the club does not need to complete the Statement of Truth.
“However, failure to complete the Statement of Truth will result in the forfeiture of the core grant element.
“Any club that decides to pay its players must notify the WRU of its intention to pay players and confirm to the WRU of its compliance, in full, with all PAYE and other tax obligations”.