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Worcester Warriors going to the wall: A timeline

By PA
Matt Kvesic talks to media outside of Sixways /PA

Gallagher Premiership club Worcester have made headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks after being plunged into a financial crisis that has threatened their future.

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Here the PA news agency looks at the saga, which began in mid-August and has overshadowed the start of English rugby’s domestic season.

August 17: Worcester say their directors are in “continuing dialogue” with HM Revenue and Customs after being issued with a winding-up petition. The issue in question is an outstanding tax amount owed by the Gallagher Premiership club to HMRC.

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August 31: Worcester cancel a pre-season match against Glasgow, casting doubt on their participation in the Premiership season. In a statement released on social media by Warriors director of rugby Steve Diamond, it is confirmed that the clash in Inverness will not take place because players and staff remain unpaid.

September 1: Club cleared to play London Irish in their Premiership opener after heading off a likely player exodus by promising the squad would be paid for August.

September 2: Worcester fly-half Fin Smith demands answers from the club as the squad still waits to be paid. England Under-20 star Smith takes part in a co-ordinated social media campaign in which players and management call for the club to be saved.

September 5: Four Worcestershire MPs – Robin Walker, Harriett Baldwin, Rachel Maclean and Mark Garnier – call for Worcester to be placed in administration.

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September 10: Worcester collapse to a heavy defeat in their Premiership opener, losing 45-14 against London Irish.

September 13: The Warriors say that Worcester co-owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham have agreed terms with an undisclosed buyer for the club. Terms of agreement are being scrutinised by respective legal teams and have still to be signed.

September 15: Worcester release a statement to make it clear they have not been placed into administration after a Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport letter suggested they had been.

September 15: The Rugby Football Union says Worcester will be suspended from all competitions unless club chiefs provide the RFU with safety certification to stage matches at Sixways Stadium by midday on September 16.

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September 16: Worcester staff call for a change of ownership and express their anger over “continual broken promises” that have left their future in jeopardy.

September 18: Worcester’s second Premiership game of the season – against Exeter at Sixways – goes ahead after the club meet the deadline to provide safety certification to stage matches. The Warriors lose 36-21.

September 18: Worcester boss Steve Diamond admits the Warriors’ future remains in serious doubt, saying: “I don’t know how long we can keep going with this, as I’ve been informed that negotiations are taking place behind the scenes, but I am not party to them. There are limits to how many times players or staff can turn out on goodwill without being paid.”

September 21: Club set two deadlines amid a warning from the RFU that they will be suspended from all competitions if they are unable to fulfil three criteria. The Warriors have until 5pm on September 26 to provide evidence that they have the required insurance cover in place, the funds to meet payroll and a meaningful plan to lift Sixways out of crisis. In addition, Worcester must prove by 12pm on Thursday the capability to stage Saturday’s Premiership match against Newcastle.

September 24: Worcester beat Newcastle 39-5 after being given the green light to stage the fixture.

September 26: Worcester suspended from all competitions with immediate effect after they failed to meet RFU deadline. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: “We appreciate this is incredibly difficult news for fans, staff and players. We met with players and staff last week to explain why this action would be necessary, and regrettably without assurances in place, we have had to take this action to protect everyone’s best interests.”

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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