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Intervention could yet foil 'absolutely disgusting' move to erase Worcester
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is reportedly in talks with the Rugby Football Union to block the sale of Worcester Warriors to the Atlas consortium who plan to disband the current club and erase its name from the sport.
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The Atlas plan involves creating ‘Sixways Rugby’ funding Stourbridge RFC who will play at Sixways Stadium in National League 2 West with the aim of moving up to Championship level by 2026.
However, the fate of the former Premiership club continues to be mired in controversy with City AM reporting the DCMS and the RFU are meeting today. The DCMS is expected to lobby against Worcester’s administrators Begbies Traynor selling the club to a bid that has not passed the RFU’s fit and proper tests.
Atlas, headed by Jim O’Toole and James Sandford, have not passed the RFU’s conditions and commercial restriction tests, which are understood to be related to the sale and use of land surrounding the club. Now, Atlas have revealed they are going to kill off Warriors leaving the creditors without payment and the club supporters without a team. They intend to move Stourbridge into the Sixways stadium.
Former players and supporters have taken to social media to express their anger at this dramatic turn of events. Ex-player Matt Garvey tweeting: “Absolutely gutted to read about Worcester Warriors. Not sure how this has been allowed to happen. Fingers crossed it’s not too late for some common sense to intervene. The community and supporters deserve more than this.”
Former Warriors team manager Luke Broadley said: “Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. What we feared has come true Worcester Warriors is no more and never will be. This process means no rugby creditor will be paid what they are owed. People have a lot to answer for.”
Northampton prop Ethan Waller, who played for Worcester, said: “Brutal to read the news about Worcester Warriors. I loved my time there and made some lifelong friendships – not to mention some unbelievable memories. The shirt on the wall means that little bit more now.”
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Veteran rugby writer Peter Jackson said: “So Worcester RFC, founded in 1871 and renamed Worcester Warriors almost 50 years ago, has been wiped off the face of the rugby map. What an unholy mess. Cecil Duckworth, whose money made the Warriors, will be spinning in his grave. Sixways Rugby? What kind of name is that?”
Stourbridge, who will hold a special general meeting to vote on the move, are bottom of National League 2 West with one win in 18 and are 13 points adrift from 13th place.
The RFU issued a statement following the Atlas announcement stating: “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 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. Our priority is to ensure the best interests of rugby and the rugby community are preserved.
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“The RFU maintains its commitment to running the Midlands academy which it took over in November and the continuation of Worcester Warriors Women”.
Comments on RugbyPass
What a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
40 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
40 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
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