BEDWAS are involved with another dispute with Merthyr over the Principality Premiership champions' pursuit of prolific fly-half Richard Powell.

The 29-year-old has played at Bridge Field since signing from Newbridge in 2011, racking up 1224 points in 129 appearances.

Powell has captained Bedwas on a number of occasions and helped the club to have a stellar 2016/17 in which they won the Foster's Challenge Cup and made it to the semi-finals of the Premiership.

The pivot was under contract for the coming season but has attracted the interest of the big-spending Ironmen, leading to the Gwent side taking legal advice.

They state that they intend to either get compensation for breach of contract or for the fly-half to stay put.

Bedwas director of rugby and chairman Mark Lewis said: "Once again we find ourselves in dispute with Merthyr over a player contract.

"In previous cases, we have done our best to be cordial, maintain open communications and make the best of the situation.

"However, after this latest case it has become very clear that there is an issue with how Merthyr are conducting their business.

"We are a village club; a community club. We have worked damn hard to achieve what we have thus far and we refuse to be victimised once again. The matter is now with our solicitors."

Bedwas were awarded compensation after lock and captain Phill Rees moved to Merthyr in the summer of 2015 and last season had a dispute with the Ironmen over the services of utility back Harley Thompson.

The Gwent side, who now have Ian Gardner at the helm after long-serving head coach Steve Law moved to Cardiff, head to the Wern for what will be a feisty affair on September 9, the third week of the new season, before entertaining them in November.