RFU confirm Wasps have applied to play at Sixways after Atlas group complete Worcester takeover
EXCLUSIVE: RFU confirms Wasps has signed up to play at Sixways after the Atlas group completed its takeover of Worcester, with the prospects of both affected clubs now intertwined
- The outlook for the stricken Worcester Warriors and Wasps is now intertwined
- Atlas Group completed the acquisition of Warriors and Wasps wants to play at Sixways
- It remains to be seen if Warriors will die in what would effectively be a merger
The RFU has confirmed that an application has been received from Wasps to play at Sixways from next season, after the Atlas group completes its acquisition of Worcester.
After sources told Mail Sport that Wasps had submitted their application, the governing body responded by saying: ‘Wasps have applied to use Sixways Stadium. The RFU consults with local stakeholders before the request is considered by the board of the RFU at the end of May.’
This is a dramatic turn of events, showing how the outlook for the stricken Wasps and Worcester has become intertwined.
Both clubs went bankrupt last fall, which led to automatic relegation from the Eredivisie. Now it looks like one of them – Wasps – could soon reemerge next season in a reconfigured championship, subject to approval from the RFU.
However, this is a complex situation. The union has reservations about the Atlas group, led by ex-Worcester chief executive Jim O’Toole, meaning they were unwilling to endorse them as ‘fit and proper’ club owners.
Jim O’Toole (left) and James Sandford (right) took over former Premiership club Worcester
Wasps have signed up to play at Sixways from next season, the RFU has confirmed
But the official trustees, Begbies Traynor, chose to go through with Atlas’ bid rather than the bid from a consortium led by Steve Diamond, who was the Warriors’ director of rugby when the club collapsed after a spirited struggle to survive. to survive.
It remains unclear whether Worcester will cease to exist as a club in what effectively amounts to a merger with Wasps – something vehemently denied when rumors surfaced months ago.
The RFU should consider whether Wasps could become tenants on a site where there is no ‘landlord’ club, but only a company that owns the site, and if doing so would allow Atlas to circumvent any concerns the union may have about their suitability and reliability. owner references.
O’Toole and his business partner, ex-player James Sandford, had previously expressed their intention to sideline the Warriors ‘brand’ and merge with nearby Stourbridge RFC, which will play in the fifth tier of English rugby next season .
They were forced to backtrack on their plan after an angry backlash, but much local opposition and suspicion of their involvement remains.
Wasps announced last December that former non-executive director Chris Holland has become the new club owner after a buyout by a consortium including former players.
If they get clearance from the RFU to play at Sixways next season, they face a frantic race to put together a team, management team and staff at short notice.
Championship clubs may welcome their iconic presence in the second tier, but are desperate for clarity on their league composition for the 2023-24 season.
Wasps have nowhere to play next season and face a race to build a team