Worcester Warriors respond to 'speculative' articles on PREM ambitions

Worcester Warriors have issued a statement on their official website explaining the club’s current position on promotion to the Gallagher PREM in the wake of a recent report casting doubt as to whether they have gone through the formal application process.

An article in The Guradian, written by highly-respected and experienced journalist Rob Kitson, says that only current Champ leaders Ealing and Doncaster Knights, who are way off the pace in the play-off race, are eligible to be considered for promotion as Worcester ‘are understood to have missed the deadline.’

With discussions about the structure of professional club rugby in England ongoing and PREM Rugby seemingly hellbent on going down a franchise route, Champ clubs are currently in limbo. And only having two clubs eligible to go up will only add further weight to the claims of those who want a closed shop.

The 256-word statement, which still doesn’t specifiy whether the club has applied to be audited before the deadline, read: “At Worcester Warriors, we are committed to our ambition of returning to the Prem, and we have the facilities and fanbase to meet the minimum standards necessary to be a success at that level.

“Having recently re-established ourselves as a professional club, we have been clear and steadfast in our intention to use this season as a stabilising introduction to professional sport. We have grown exponentially from the start and it is a surprise to no one that we have the intention of seeking an early return to the Prem in the near future.

“Our first year back as Worcester Warriors has seen record season ticket and hospitality sales, a strong performance on the pitch, rave reviews of the match day experience, and we are on track to exceed the financial business plan we have in place.

“There are well documented ongoing conversations about the future structure of the Prem and Champ Rugby and what promotion, relegation or expansion will look like, both this season and going forward. We are actively engaged in these conversations.

“Naturally, it is not ideal that the Champ clubs are in a situation where we are well into a season with no certainty of what the outcome will be, and as such we have to plan sensibly. We have promised that prudent ambition to our supporters, sponsors and players.

“Whilst conversations between both leagues will take place in the new year, we have all read the speculative articles and suggestions on what might happen. What won’t change though is our determination to meet our financial and resilient
business plan objectives, and to be promoted to the Prem, at the earliest opportunity.”