WASPS have demanded up to £15,000 compensation and called for an immediate joint meeting of English and Welsh clubs to seek guarantees on the new AngloWelsh competition after Neath pulled out of tonight's game due to be played at Sudbury. Sale's visit to Cardiff and Leicester's home game against Bridgend, both scheduled for tonight, have also been postponed at the request of the Welsh clubs.

Neath, who are Welsh champions, told Wasps they were unable to select a viable front row due to injuries and call-ups to the Welsh squad for Saturday's international in Italy. Their prop John Davies, hooker Barry Williams and number eight Steve Williams are all on Wales duty.

Yesterday Geoff Huckstep the Wasps' chief executive said he would be sending a letter outlining the direct costs and hidden costs involved in cancelling the fixture less than 36 hours before the kick-off. Wasps had spent a substantial sum" on refurbishing floodlights, getting match programmes printed and engaging occasional staff for the evening: they would lose revenue from an expected 2,000-3,000 gate as well as their match sponsorship by NCR.

"It's reasonable to expect a club of Neath's standing to have a squad of around 40 players to allow for injury problems," said Huckstep. "We need an urgent meeting with the Welsh clubs to establish that they are committed to the Anglo-Welsh Cup."

Wasps' desire to establish the Anglo-Welsh competition on a solid footing reflects growing concern among English clubs over the seemingly laissez faire attitude of the Welsh who had been demanding cross-border fixtures for many years. Before last night's game between Llanelli and Bath at Stradey Park Welsh clubs had won just one out of ten AngloWelsh fixtures, Bridgend beating Wasps last month. For the most part English clubs have triumphed with plenty to spare.