The Welsh Rugby Union has attacked the four professional regions, and accused Scarlets of actively seeking to offload George North without informing the player.

The relationship between Regional Rugby Wales (the body which represents the four teams) and the WRU has been strained in recent years.

The governing body claims it offered to help the Scarlets retain the wing's services by offering him a central contract with the union, only to discover the regions had an agreement in place not to field any player under a central contract.

©INPHO/Ben Evans