BREAKING: Wasps, Worcester and London Irish handed Premiership lifeline
Rugby NewsMonday, 26 June 2023 at 16:05
According to the Telegraph, there is a possibility that Wasps, Worcester, and London Irish could make a return to the second tier of English rugby as early as the start of the 2025-26 season.
The revival of these three Premiership clubs, which faced financial collapse this season, will be a significant topic of discussion at an upcoming Rugby Football Union conference.
The conference, set to span two days, will be attended by various individuals including Steve Borthwick, the England head coach, as well as representatives from Premiership Rugby, the Championship clubs, and Premier 15s.
Insiders reveal that both Premiership Rugby and the RFU are keen on finding a "creative solution" to save all three clubs from extinction.
This solution could potentially involve reintegrating them into a revamped second tier that is likely to be rebranded as 'Prem 2'.
There is optimism that the introduction of the Premiership Rugby Cup in the upcoming season, featuring matches between Premiership and Championship teams, will foster a closer relationship between the two leagues.
This closer collaboration could serve as a stepping stone towards the establishment of a new structure combining Prem 1 and Prem 2.
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List of the Premiership’s five most at risk clubs makes worrying reading
All clubs in the Gallagher Premiership have been facing a concerning period, as highlighted by the Press Association News Agency's recent report.
An investigation conducted earlier this season revealed the dire financial crisis engulfing English rugby, with Premiership clubs accumulating debts exceeding £500 million.
Furthermore, a thorough analysis of the clubs' latest financial accounts unveiled that Premiership clubs collectively owed more than £36 million in taxes, with only two out of the 13 clubs having a positive balance with the HMRC.
Outlined below is an examination of the current situation of five clubs, and the findings are deeply concerning.
#1. LONDON IRISH - NOW GONE
PA wrote: "Burdened by debts of around £30million and with an owner desperate to sell in Mick Crossan, London Irish are shaping up to become the next club to be removed from the Premiership.
All staff must be paid on Wednesday for the month of May for the Irish to be granted a deadline extension for their proposed takeover by an American consortium. "
Rob Simmons of London Irish during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Leicester Tigers at The Gtech Community Stadium, London on 25 February 2023 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)
#2. WORCESTER WARRIORS - GONE
PA wrote: "The first club placed into administration back in September, Worcester’s future is still uncertain despite being taken over by Jim O’Toole’s Atlas Group.
"Entrance into the second-tier Championship has been blocked by the RFU for their failure to meet certain conditions and their plan of joining with Stourbridge and relaunching in the fifth tier appears dead in the water."
#3. WASPS - GONE
PA wrote: "The month after Worcester folded, Wasps followed them into administration as the league suffered the crushing blow of losing one of English rugby’s most famous brands.
"Further misery was to come as having targeted rebirth in the Championship, the failure to meet certain conditions forced the RFU to revoke their license and demote them to the foot of the rugby pyramid."
Wasps player Alfie Barbeary during the warm up before the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Wasps and Sale Sharks at Ricoh Arena on 27 Mar. Photo: Steve Bond/PPAUK
#4. EXETER CHIEFS - SHAKY FOUNDATIONS
PA wrote: "Even Exeter, one of the few clubs in the pre-pandemic era to operate at a profit, were forced to take special measures in December.
"Chiefs owner Tony Rowe bought a stake in a hotel owned by the club in order for it to service its debts, including covid loans issued by the Government. Rowe’s intervention has shored up the finances for the time being."
Sam Simmonds of Exeter Chiefs on the break during the Aviva Premiership Match between Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks at Sandy Park, Exeter, Devon, England. - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#5. LEICESTER TIGERS - SHAKY FOUNDATIONS
PA wrote: "Leicester needed an emergency cash injection of £13m from directors Peter Tom and Tom Scott to address what chief executive Andrea Pinchen described as “very challenging conditions”
"A letter from the club to shareholders sent in March stated that if the funding was not approved, there would be no option but to appoint administrators."
Jasper Wiese of Leicester Tigers celebrates with the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Trophy during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium on 18 June 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
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