Worcester suspended from Premiership for 2022-23 season, announce RFU

Worcester have been suspended from the Premiership and Premiership Rugby Cup for the remainder of the 2022-23 season, the Rugby Football Union has announced. The Warriors’ Premiership future had been left in doubt after the club was partially liquidated on Wednesday, with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) pursuing unpaid tax in the region of £6m.

“Following a meeting of the RFU’s Club Financial Viability Group today, the RFU can confirm the suspension of Worcester Warriors from the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Rugby Cup for the remainder of the 2022-23 season,” a statement from the governing body read on Thursday evening.

Wednesday’s ruling instructed that WRFC Players Ltd, a subsidiary of WRFC Trading Ltd through which players and some staff are paid, be wound up. A winding-up petition against WRFC Trading Ltd, which remains in administration, has been suspended.

Ted Hill – the club captain – Ollie Lawrence, Fergus Lee-Warner and Valeriy Morozov had already joined Bath on loan. After the latest ruling, other players had their contracts terminated, along with members of staff. The British and Irish Lions winger Duhan van der Merwe has returned to his former club Edinburgh.

The administrator Begbies Traynor is seeking a buyer for WRFC Trading Ltd and are talking to two consortiums. The RFU said the decision to suspend the team would allow “space and time” to prioritise the work to secure a deal for the long-term future of the club.

The RFU said the progress made by the administrators, including relating to the land around Sixways Stadium was encouraging. “It has taken the decision to suspend the team in order to prioritise the space and time to work with Begbies Traynor to support the prospect of securing a deal with