Wasps are REMOVED from next season’s Championship by the RFU

Wasps have had their license to play in England’s rugby league structure revoked by the RFU, effectively signaling the death of one of the country’s proudest and most successful clubs.

The Coventry side were suspended from the Premiership earlier this season after taking up service, but had hoped to return to the Championship for the 2023/24 season.

It was confirmed on Thursday that this would not happen and that the club would move to the bottom of England’s rugby pyramid.

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: ‘This is not the result anyone wanted in rugby and all those involved in the club will be deeply disappointed.

“We have been working with the new owners for the last six months to ensure a robust plan could be put in place for the club to continue playing in the Championship, while players and staff were able to receive their dues.

Some players, including Brad Shields, had to find new clubs after the club’s demise

“The RFU works closely with Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players Association to ensure players are supported. We are also working together at a rapid pace to ensure the game emerges from this challenging time on a strong and sound financial footing.”

Wasps have won five Premiership titles and three European trophies in the professional era and their official demise marks yet another sad moment in one of the worst seasons in English rugby history.

Worcester were the first Premiership club to enter administration before Wasps followed. There remains a very real concern that London Irish will be the third team to leave this term. The Irish have been given a May 30 RFU deadline to complete a takeover or prove they have the cash to complete next season. If they fail to do so, they will also be suspended from the Premier League.

Wasps should now start from the bottom of the rugby pyramid after being removed

Elsewhere, England flanker Tom Curry has called for more player protection in the event of a breakdown after his Sale team-mate and twin brother Ben suffered a serious hamstring injury.

Ben Curry will miss the Shark’s Premiership final with Saracens for a week on Saturday and is now unlikely to make it to the World Cup later this year. He was the victim of a nasty contact area injury during his team’s semi-final victory over Leicester.

Ben Curry came over the ball to win a penalty for his team, only to be ‘crocodile rolled’ by Tigers support Tom West as his leg got stuck in the ground. He will need surgery on his hamstring and will be out for at least four months.

“I think if there was something to prevent that, it would be nice,” Tom Curry said of his brother’s injury.

A crocodile roll involves a player grabbing an opponent around the torso and using their body weight to roll them to the side. England’s Jack Willis suffered a horrific knee injury in 2020 when he was on the wrong end of a crocodile roll against Italy.

Tom Curry, meanwhile, has called for rugby to ban the crocodile roll amid recent injuries

Tom Curry believes rugby should have a serious conversation about banning the move and ensuring better safety for those who are unlucky.

“I think you have to see that at the end of the day. I think we’ve reached a point now,” he said. This doesn’t have to be something big. It’s just a conversation. But we see injuries when they collapse and you have to listen to what happens.’

Ben Curry has had a great season and captained Sale in the Premiership semi-finals. His sibling believes the heartbreaking injury will give the Sharks an added advantage against the Saracens.

‘It has to. It’s difficult because if there’s anyone who deserves to play in a final, I think it’s him,” said Tom Curry. “It will give us an edge. It’s heavy, very heavy.’