Worcester players including Lions stars Duhan van der Merwe and Rory Sutherland could be cast into the rugby wilderness if the club folds.
RUCK sources suggest that Toulon are ready to offer Scotland international powerhouse van der Merwe if he were to leave Sixways.
Bristol Bears, Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks meanwhile are thought to be huge admirers of one-cap flanker Ted Hill with a RUCK source suggesting ‘clubs are queuing up for Worcester’s star men’.
Both players mentioned above are currently fully committed to Warriors, but are aware they need to be prepared for the worst possible scenario.
The owners of Worcester Warriors released a statement on Monday following reports the club could be put into administration following a winding-up petition over unpaid tax.
If Warriors are forced into administration, they would be the first Premiership club to do so since Richmond in 1999.
STATEMENT FROM THE OWNERS OF WORCESTER
There has been much speculation and rumour circulating in the media and among our supporters about the future of Worcester Warriors.
Over the past week a lot of work has been done away from the media spotlight to try to navigate the club through the challenges that we currently face.
That work continues, discussions are ongoing and we are reviewing the options available to the club.
We continue to work closely with HMRC, Premiership Rugby, the RFU and DCMS to find the best solution to the situation. We are very grateful for the support these organisations have shown to the club.
We are now working through a number of options with our advisors. These include solutions for keeping rugby at Sixways and we will communicate further as soon as a decision has been finalised.
We are grateful to our staff, supporters, partners, sponsors and suppliers for their commitment, loyalty and support during what has been a difficult period for all involved in the club.
We also greatly appreciate the messages of concern and support that we have received from across the rugby world and the wider sporting community.
Colin Goldring
Jason Whittingham
EDITORS PICKS:
- England legend James Haskell welcomes first daughter
- Joe Marler ranks the five toughest rugby players
- Leicester Tigers confirm Ellis Genge’s replacement as captain
- Report reveals Owen Farrell is England’s highest earning player
WORCESTER’S FIVE HIGHEST-PAID PLAYERS:
#5. Matt Kvesic
- Age: 30
- Position: Flanker
- Honours: England