London Welsh are locked in a bitter row with neighbours Esher ahead of Saturday's scheduled Valentine's Day derby at Molesey Road.

The National One showdown is in doubt because Welsh have re-arranged their EDF Trophy game against Cambridge for the same day.

But both Esher and Cambridge are furious that Welsh called off Sunday's original fifth-round EDF tie with Cambridge a full TWO DAYS before the match.

Both clubs have made official complaints to the RFU and have accused Welsh of breaking RFU rules by calling off the game at 2pm on the Friday without a pitch inspection by a referee.

They claim that just TWO HOURS later on the Friday, international referee Wayne Barnes declared the pitch at Old Deer Park WAS playable and the England women's international against Italy went ahead there as scheduled on the Saturday.

Welsh had asked Esher to swap their fixtures at the beginning of the season but Esher refused.

It is no secret that having a home game on the weekend of Wales versus England in the Six Nations would set the tills ringing behind the bar at Old Deer Park.

Esher chairman Jamie Robinson said: "It seems to me that London Welsh made a premature decision to call the Cambridge game off.

"We don't understand how they can call a game off two days before yet an international referee says the pitch is playable the same day.

"We have protested to the RFU, as have Cambridge, so now we must await their decision.

"Their action has a huge knock-on effect to us. It is our only home game in February and we have spent a lot of time and money promoting and organising things for the Valentine's Day game."

Another Esher official, who did not want to be named said: "Esher were thrown out of the EDF Trophy for fielding an ineligible player in a game when we were 33-0 ahead.

"Now London Welsh have broken the rules, let's see what punishment the RFU deem suitable."

London Welsh chief executive Officer Peter Thomas at first refused to give reasons for the postponement of the Cambridge game, saying: "I have no comment to make."

When pressed, he added: "At the end of the day the decision to call the game off was done in conjunction with Cambridge."

But he admitted no referee had been called in, which contravenes RFU regulations and Cambridge are furious with the Exiles.

The National Division Two club accuse London Welsh of deceiving them and admit they were unaware that the National One side had not called in a referee to inspect the pitch.

Cambridge secretary Joe Lyons said: "We are protesting to the RFU because they haven't complied with the ruling on cancellation of games.

"Peter Thomas said their pitches were unplayable and we assumed they had had a referee to inspect it. Now I hear a referee said the pitches were playable."

If Welsh beat Cambridge, if and when the tie is played, they will host either Bridgwater & Albion or Molesey in the quarter-finals.