Wales' top clubs have failed in their attempts to produce a blueprint for the future of professional rugby.
Last-ditch talks ended deadlocked today and there will not be a proposal on the table when the Welsh Rugby Union's 27-member general committee meets tonight.
In front of them will be two options - WRU group chief executive David Moffett's plan for four regional teams to contest future Heineken Cup and Celtic League competitions, or to retain the status quo of nine Premiership clubs.
It is thought regional teams could be formed through mergers between Llanelli and Swansea, Neath and Bridgend, Cardiff and Pontypridd, and Newport and Ebbw Vale, although four franchised sides provide another alternative.
The clubs wanted to retain their base, forming so-called super-clubs, with Llanelli and Cardiff reportedly standing alone and combined teams taking shape elsewhere.
But those hopes floundered today following weeks of internal squabbling about who should merge with who, who should stand alone and major concerns about funding.
Basically, the clubs ran out of time after Moffett warned last week "the clock is ticking" and that he had "drawn a line in the sand".
Moffett was determined that tonight's meeting would put forward a recommendation or recommendations to an Extraordinary General Meeting of Wales' 239 member clubs.
The EGM is scheduled for February 23 with WRU member clubs set to decide, courtesy of a simple majority, which proposal should win the day.
"Unfortunately, the clubs have been unable to agree a way forward between themselves despite lengthy discussions," said Moffett as he left today's meeting.
"I've told the clubs I will take two options forward. The first option is the proposal of four teams and the other is to remain as we are with nine clubs.
"Staying at nine clubs is not what I or the clubs favour. I don't see the benefit of that."