Gerald Davies is backed for the chairmanship of the Guinness Pro12 by the regions – but faces competition from David Pickering. Photograph: David Davies/PA

The fractious nature of Welsh rugby is likely to be on show again on Thursday evening during discussions to appoint a chairman of the Guinness Pro12.

It is the turn of Wales to put forward a candidate to take over the role. Normally this is a straightforward process but not so this year as the country’s regions and national union look to stake a claim for their own man at a meeting in Dublin.

The regions, with support of representatives from Scotland and Ireland, want Gerald Davies to become the league’s chairman, with the former nike air force Wales and Lion wing and, up until this summer, Welsh Rugby Union board member, having made it clear to his backers he is keen on the role.

However, Roger Lewis, the chief executive of the WRU, is determined to see David Pickering become chairman, despite member clubs having ousted him from the same position with the union earlier this year.

The stand-off will provide Gareth Davies with his first real test since he replaced Pickering at the WRU. The former Wales captain is known to favour Gerald Davies’s appointment as Pro 12 chairman.

All this comes after the WRU signed a service agreement with the regions just before the start of the Pro 12 season after more than 18 months of dispute between both parties.