The Western Force insist they are entitled to compete in Super Rugby until 2020 amid reports that they are one of three teams set to be axed from the tournament.
Super Rugby will revert to a 15-team format from 2018, and beside the two South African teams that will be culled, one Australian franchise has to be dropped under the restructuring plan as well.
The Waratahs, Reds and Brumbies have all been informed that they are safe, leaving the Force and Rebels' Super Rugby status under threat.
Both the Force and the Rebels have already launched legal action against the Australian Rugby Union, but on Friday RugbyWA – the Force's governing body – issued a statement dismissing reports that their participation hinged on the outcome of another meeting with the ARU board.
'RugbyWA's position is clear. Under current arrangements the Western Force is entitled to participate in Super Rugby until 30 December 2020,' said a Force statement.
'There is no basis on which the ARU can purport to remove the Western Force from Super Rugby. The ARU must work to ensure that the Western Force remain based in Perth for many seasons to come.
'Put simply, RugbyWA is not required to 'state a business (or any) case to the ARU.'
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