Worcester Warriors renamed and will not play in England's second tier

NEWS: The new owners of former Premiership club Worcester said on Thursday that a renamed team would not play in English Rugby Union's second tier next season.

England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) set a deadline of February 14 for the club to provide evidence they had met the conditions required to play Championship rugby.

Both Worcester and Wasps entered administration earlier in the 2022/23 season and were kicked out of the top-tier Premiership.

Former Worcester chief executive Jim O'Toole, who led the Atlas consortium that took over the club, said the team would merge with fourth-tier side Stourbridge and be known instead as Sixways Rugby.

"There were a number of key clauses in the contract that we couldn't sign," O'Toole told the BBC.

"This decision will clearly upset and annoy a number of people. The sad fact of life is that the Worcester Warriors brand and the Worcester Warriors business is gone.

"The name sadly will disappear. We are rebranding as Sixways Rugby."

It means that creditors, including players and staff, will not be paid debts owed to them totalling millions of pounds.

O'Toole expressed sympathy for those who would go unpaid, including England centre Ollie Lawrence, who is currently involved in the Six Nations.

The proposed merger is subject to a vote by the membership of National League Two West club Stourbridge, which is due to take place on Friday.

Any name change and relocation can only take place with RFU approval.

"The RFU has been clear that its priority was to enable Worcester Warriors to play in the Championship and Worcester Warriors Women in the Premier 15s in a sustainable way," the governing body said.

"The information required has been asked for repeatedly and deadlines were extended to provide the best possible chance for this to happen.

"The RFU will now consult with the local rugby community over the proposed relocation of Stourbridge RFC and the change of name."

A statement from the British government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: "Despite repeated assurances from the Atlas consortium, we are deeply disappointed that fans will no longer be able to support their club in the Championship - either next season or beyond.

"We fully support the RFU in its objective to obtain all necessary information with regards to the club's sustainability and ownership when participating in their competitions."