DRAGONS chief executive Gareth Davies is seeking a place on the board of the Welsh Rugby Union.

Former Wales No10 Davies, who has also been a key member of the Regional Rugby Wales board in its ongoing dispute with the WRU over a new participation agreement, could be the man to fill the boots of rugby legend Gerald Davies who recently resigned.

But Davies, who joined the Dragons last season, is not the only big name seeking election: chairman David Pickering is bidding for another three years in office.

With his recent experience of the regional game and its problems, Davies may be the man to bring the warring parties together from within the WRU.

The WRU and the regions have been involved in an unprecedented dispute over the way the regional game in Wales is run.

The row led to the calling of an extraordinary general meeting this summer at the instigation of former WRU chief executive David Moffett. A vote of no confidence was called but the Union survived with overwhelming support from the clubs.

There are four positions up for grabs on the WRU board – two national appointed directors and two district appointed directors.

Pickering is currently a national appointed director and is seeking to remain chairman.

Anthony Buchanan (Llanelli), Dai Davies (Newtown), Gareth Davies (Dragons) and Dennis Jones (Cefneithin) are the other candidates for the national appointed director posts.

Clubs are due to return their ballot papers by September 12.

"The WRU Board has once again been blessed to have received such a high calibre of applicants for the available positions of national and district representatives. I welcome each candidate as we search for the right individuals to help us continue our hard work in both growing and safeguarding the future of Welsh rugby," said Pickering.

"I am extremely pleased to confirm that I will be standing again for the position of national appointed director and consequently hope to remain as chairman.”