Worcester Warriors: The RFU maps the way forward after liquidation

WRFC Players Limited has been placed in compulsory liquidation by the Court, resulting in the termination of contracts of the player and large groups of staff.

The Rugby Football Union is working with administrators and buyers, but the situation around the men’s team playing in the Premiership this season is complex, and a statement will be made soon regarding this.

Relegation beckons

If a buyer is found for the club, the men’s team would be automatically relegated to the Champions due to the insolvency event. The administrators have made an effort to apply for the relegation to be disapplied with the result to be found in the coming days.

RFU chief Bill Sweeney shared his sympathies with those impacted by the situation whilst mapping out the way forward.

“This is a very sad day for rugby in England. Our thoughts are with all of the Worcester Warriors players, staff and supporters.

“The RFU will continue to speak to the administrators, and potential buyers, during the course of the next 24 hours to understand the possibility of a buyer taking over the club in time for the men’s team to participate in the Gallagher Premiership during season 2022/23.

“We are also liaising with the administrators in relation to discussions with potential funders, which may enable the University of Worcester Warriors women’s team to continue in the Allianz Premier 15s even if the men’s team cannot continue to participate this season.

“The RFU will continue to support community rugby in Worcester and is fully committed to ensuring local academy opportunities are provided for pathway players.”

Dark day

Worcester director of rugby Steve Diamond took to social media to share his views, referring to the club as the “Titanic.”

“This is the darkest day for English rugby,” Diamond wrote on Twitter.

“We thought we could turn the tanker around but it’s ended up like the Titanic, sadly. The ship has sunk, the captains are nowhere to be seen. The RFU/PRL band played in the back ground. There are a privileged few who have jobs.”

Club captain Ted Hill shared his goodbye on Twitter, thanking the club members for their efforts and the fans for their support.

“What an unbelievably sad day for everyone in Worcester.

“A club who meant so much to everyone has gone the direction none of us wanted it to. A place where I played my rugby from 14 years of age and met so many people who mean so much to me and my family.

“There’s been so many people to thank throughout my whole journey, starting off with Chim Gale and Nick Tisdale, who were my first coaches at Worcester and helped me not only to become the player I am but also the person I am. Also Alan Solomons, who gave me my first Premiership start and later went on to give me the amazing opportunity of captaining my home town club.

“To all those guys I am massively appreciative. Then to the current staff, who have helped guide this group of players through such a difficult time and have done it with such poise and elegance throughout all the highs and lows.

“To my team-mates, thank you for all the memories we have made together, they will be times that I will never forget.

“Then finally to the fans of Worcester, this is obviously not where any of us wanted this to end up, but the way you have supported us and the staff through this whole saga has be unbelievable and we’re forever grateful for that.

“There will be nothing written for the people who put us in this situation but to the governing bodies of rugby, something needs to change so that this doesn’t happen to any club again. Thank you Worcester for everything,” Hill wrote on Twitter.

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