Llanelli-based Scarlets rugby region avoids wind up order

The region's lawyers asked the court in London to formally dismiss it

A Welsh rugby region has avoided a winding up order in the High Court.

Llanelli-based Scarlets' parent company Llanelli RFC Ltd had been issued the petition by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

However, on Monday the region's lawyers asked the court in London to formally dismiss it.

Although no details were given in court, the move is likely to mean the undisclosed tax debt has been paid in full.

Had the company been compulsorily wound up the Guinness Pro12 League side would have been placed into the hands of receivers.

The court appearance comes at the end of a year which saw the regions and Welsh Rugby Union at loggerheads over funding and power in the professional game, a dispute which was eventually solved in an agreement just days before the kickoff of the 2014/15 season.