Worcester Warriors suspended and relegated after entering administration

Under RFU regulations, the club has therefore been relegated from the Gallagher Premiership meaning, if investors can be secured, the club will start in the Championship in the 2023/24 season. It is able to appeal this decision if it can show there was no fault insolvency. 

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney 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.”

Premiership Rugby (PRL) chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor added: “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 the administrator, the RFU and other key stakeholders to find the best outcome.” 

The side entered into administration on 27 September, with Julie Palmer, Julian Pitts and Andrew Hook of Begbies Traynor appointed as joint administrators. They are now speaking with interested parties to determine whether any party will buy the club. 

On Wednesday, the High Court heard a winding petition, with WRFC Players - the company that holds the contracts of its players and some of its staff - liquidated. The petition concerned an unpaid tax bill of approximately £6m.  

#TOGETHER “This is the darkestday for English rugby. 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.

— Steve Diamond (@Steve_Dimes)

#TOGETHER “This is the darkestday for English rugby. 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.

— Steve Diamond (@Steve_Dimes) October 5, 2022

Following the liquidation of WRFC Players, Worcester boss Steve Diamond wrote on Twitter: “this is the darkest day for English Rugby. We thought we could turn the tanker around but it ended up like the Titanic, sadly. 

“The ship has sunk and the captains are nowhere to be seen. The RFU/PRL played in the background. 

“There are privileged few who have jobs.”