Steve Diamond launches bid to rescue Worcester from administration

Former Worcester director of rugby Steve Diamond has launched a bid to rescue the club from administration and restore it to the English Premiership within the next four years.

Diamond is leading a consortium, Sixways Village, that also includes former Leicester Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen, and hopes to achieve preferred bidder status with administrators Begbies Traynor.

Worcester collapsed into administration and were partially liquidated this month with HM Customs and Revenue pursuing unpaid tax in the region of just under €7m. They are currently suspended from the Premiership and face relegation at the end of the season.

"My goal is to create a sustainable business that is able to compete back in the Premiership within the next three or four years, and allows professional rugby to thrive in Worcester," said Diamond, who would be chief executive of the new venture.

"It took us a month to put the plan together and we presented it last week to the RFU and the PRL (Premiership Rugby).

"Now a decision needs to be made and hopefully that decision is for the right organisation to put Worcester Warriors back on the map."

As a result of the club's collapse, all contracts were terminated and over 20 of the club’s former players have found new roles, including Rory Sutherland and Oli Morris who have joined Ulster and Munster respectively for the rest of the season.

Diamond said he has no argument with the rules that stipulate the club will be relegated to the Championship at the end of the season, where they are expected to join Wasps, who also fell into administration earlier this month.

"I think due punishment and sanction is required – I’m prepared to take the relegation and it may take us two or three years to get back to a