Italian teams could be playing in the Magners League as early as next season under shock plans.
Gilbride
Talks are already underway to shake-up the tri nations competition.
Under the proposals, the Magners League will increase to 12 teams to include two regional Italian sides based in Milan and Rome.
Wales Rugby Union chairman David Pickering will meet with his Italian counterpart in Rome tomorrow (Fri) before the Six Nations clash at Stadio Flaminio.
But the move is likely to hinge on the Italians securing a big-money sponsor before a Magners League board meeting at the end of the month in Dublin.
Pickering said: 'We would like to see the Italians join the Magners League and on behalf of the Welsh regions, we fully support their bid.
'The Italians have already spoken directly to John Hussey, chairman of the Magners League and it's something we will support and push to get them into the competition.
'The discussions with the Celtic Union indicate they will have two teams and be similar to when Wales moved from clubs to regions.
'Of course, that represents political problems in Italy but we will probably see one team in the north and one in the south.
'Everyone is pushing for extra finance and we all understand that having two extra teams will increase the revenue for the regions and that's great - we look forward to their proposal.
'The ball is in the Italians' court but we will sit down with the Italians over dinner next weekend. We hope they will come on board.'
The Italian rugby federation confirmed their commitment to joining the Celtic League back in December in a bid to raise the standard of the Italy national side.
But despite the attractive proposition, Pickering has warned there are still some major obstacles to overcome in the coming weeks.
Pickering said: 'The Magners League has been a great competition over the last three years and it would be special for the Italians to join us.
italy
Improvement plan: Italian sides want to play Scottish teams more regularly to improve national standards
'They have a population of 65 million and that will be of benefit to the league. But they must have teams which are up to the level required for the competition.
'Italy have got more than ten players playing in France and that's not healthy for their national side - they have to move home.
'If they do, they will have a side able to compete. And there are other barriers we have to overcome such as advertising, television and commercial deals.
'The positive news is the Italians have already got a new broadcast deal with Sky Italia starting in 2010 and that deal is a significant improvement to the current one.
'Rugby in Italy is constantly improving and that is reflected in the broadcasting value.
'The Welsh regions have expressed their concern with the extra cost and travel extra fixtures will cause. But we can overcome those barriers.
'Travel isn't an issue and we won't have to send regions over to Italy for back-to-back games like the Super 14 as it's only a two-hour flight away. It's just like a two-hour car ride or train ride.'
And with a potential extra four fixtures to add to an already congested fixture list, director of Celtic rugby David Jordan admits the Magners League may clash with the Six Nations in the future.
Jordan said: 'We have asked the Italians to present a proposal to us. The three unions are willing to let the Italians join the league subject to a competitive commercial package.
'We would like them to join but we don't want to devalue our competition. The discussions are on-going and their proposal will go to the board when we sit down at our next general meeting at the end of the month in Dublin. But they could join as early as next season.
'Italy will have to move from ten teams to two but we don't see that as a problem. In Wales, a similar thing took place and despite creating local tensions, it has been managed.
'We don't see extra fixtures as being a problem because in fact a lot of the Magners League teams have approached us asking for more.
'We don't currently play any games on international dates in November or the Six Nations and that is a possibility to us. Another option is mid-week games at the start of the season when the squads are fresh and fit.'
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