The Western Force has hosed down suggestions it is on the verge of getting the boot from the Super Rugby competition.
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Reports from News Ltd on Monday night said the Force would be cut from the competition if SANZAAR partners agree to a 15-team model for Super Rugby.
The Force, ACT Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels are one of the clubs set to be cut from the competition, with SANZAAR and the Australian Rugby Union keen on reducing the number of Australian teams from five to four.
It's understood all countries agreed that reducing the Super Rugby competition from 18 to 15 teams was the preferred model, leaving two South African and one Australian side exiled.
Western Force CEO Mark Sinderberry said rumours about the club's demise were false.
'We certainly have not been advised of anything and we are not expected to be advised of anything at this stage," he told Radio 6PR on Tuesday morning.
"There are a number of variables to play out and there is another issue you have not talked about.
"Yes there is an issue about South Africa and there is another one??? a consultation with the broadcaster, which is still going on about what competition structure they would like to see.
"So this is all preemptive and jumping the gun far too early to have any credibility.
"It's just continued speculation ... and there is nothing new in this article??? the speculation has been there over the last couple of weeks."
The Force also issued a statement on Monday night saying: "Under no circumstances do we believe today's speculation around the future of the Western Force to be true.
"Two and half weeks ago, through a national phone link-up all clubs were told that the ARU through the governing body SANZAAR was investigating a number of issues and those issues had to be resolved prior to a decision being made to reduce any of the Australian franchises.
"There has been no further contact from the Australian Rugby Union to any of the Western Force players or staff, so at this time there is no further comment on the matter until substantiated facts are put forward.
"Until then the organisation will be business as per usual, with the team taking on the Blues in Auckland this Saturday and the launch of the Own the Force share applications this Thursday."
More than 24,000 people voted in a Fairfax Media poll about which Australian team should be cut, with 46 per cent saying the Rebels should go.
The Force were the next best with 32 per cent, while the Brumbies had just 10 per cent of votes.
Fairfax Media revealed earlier this month the ARU asked Australian teams to delay contract talks with non-Wallabies players until the Super Rugby issue was resolved.
If the Force is cut, their players with contracts for future seasons will be spread around the Australian franchises.
But it will also mean some players at the Brumbies, Rebels, NSW and Queensland who are off contract at the end of the year may be forced to look abroad for new deals.
