RFU Statement: Worcester Warriors' suspension and relegation confirmed

Worcester Warriors have been suspended from the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Rugby Cup for the remainder of the 2022/23 season, the RFU have confirmed. 

The RFU confirmed the news with the following statement: 

Following a meeting of the RFU’s Club Financial Viability Group today, the RFU can confirm the suspension of Worcester Warriors from the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Rugby Cup for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.

The RFU’s Club Financial Viability Group is encouraged by the progress made by the administrators, including relating to the land around Sixways Stadium.  It has taken the decision to suspend the team in order to prioritise the space and time to work with Begbies Traynor to support the prospect of securing a deal with the right investor, giving the club the best chance for a long term sustainable future.  As the club no longer has staff and players on contract and with many seeking alternative employment, the decision has been made to focus on how the club can be viable over the long term.

 
This is a complex situation and any potential investors and management will require due diligence and approvals from the RFU and PRL.  A condition of any potential deal will include a requirement for the payment of all rugby creditors including any outstanding salaries owed to staff, players and coaches.

  
The administrators are in discussions with several potential investors and it is expected they will also be planning for long term sustainability.
 

Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO said; “All parties continue to work together to provide the best possible outcome for Worcester Warriors over the long term.  This includes discussions with the administrator and potential funders, which may enable the University of Worcester Warriors women’s team to continue in the Allianz Premier 15s this season, and we are fully committed to ensuring local academy opportunities are provided for pathway players.”

Julie Palmer, on behalf of Begbies Traynor said; “Whilst disappointing that there will be no men’s rugby at Sixways this season I fully appreciate the position of RFU and PRL. I am reassured they are continuing to work with us in a positive way to try and achieve a rescue to enable rugby to take place next season in a properly structured approach to enable the long term viability and success of Worcester Warriors.” 

 
The decision also gives certainty to PRL and Premiership rugby clubs to protect the integrity of the Gallagher Premiership and allow clubs and their teams to plan for the rest of the season.

 
Simon Massie-Taylor, Premiership Rugby CEO said; “Our priority is to find the best long-term solution for Worcester Warriors and we are encouraged by the progress the administrator has made in such a short period. However what is clear is that it will take much more time to get the right solution in place for the club.  Whilst we appreciate this decision will be disappointing to many people close to Warriors, we value the certainty this decision brings to the other Premiership clubs. We will now continue to work with administrator, the RFU and other key stakeholders to find the best outcome.    

 
Under RFU Regulations, Worcester Warriors will be relegated from the Gallagher Premiership, and therefore if investors can be secured, the club will restart in the Championship in season 2023/24.  The club is able to appeal this decision if it can show there was no fault insolvency.
 

The RFU is also working with the administrators and a potential investor to try to find a way to keep the University of Worcester Warriors women’s team in the Allianz Premier 15s for the remainder of this season.  However, given the club’s previously announced suspension, we can confirm that University of Worcester Warriors women’s game in the Allianz Cup against DMP Sharks on Saturday 15 October will not go ahead.   An update on the position of future games will be given in due course.