RUCK understands that Wasps, a former Premiership club, has applied to the Rugby Football Union to use Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium from the next season.
Following their administration just weeks after the Warriors, Wasps have reportedly requested permission from the English governing body to play at Sixways Stadium, in light of the news of the Atlas consortium’s purchase of Worcester.
Jim O’Toole, the face of Atlas Consortium, did not confirm the move by Wasps in a brief statement to City A.M.
The RFU has stated that they will consult with local stakeholders before considering the request from Wasps at the end of May, upon review by the RFU board.
In December, the Rugby Football Union granted Wasps permission to prepare for their future in the English second tier after successfully passing the RFU’s fit and proper tests.
“Horror draw” – England get pool of death in revised World Cup draw
The recently released World Rugby Rankings highlight the absurdity of the Pool Draw for the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2023, which was determined three years in advance and appears to be heavily skewed.
In response to criticism, World Rugby has announced that future pool draws for the Rugby World Cup will be conducted closer to the start of the tournament, as the current practice of relying on team rankings at the time of the draw is deemed unfair.
According to a report by the Mirror, World Rugby will make changes to the pool draw process for the 2027 edition.
“World Rugby said it is able to make the change because of a new ‘hosting model’ that sees the international federation create collaborations with the host union,” the report read.
“The top of the men’s Test game has never been more competitive,” the spokesperson added. “There has never been so much movement over a two-year period.
“Bearing that in mind and noting the format of four pools of five teams, there is arguably no perfect time for a draw.”
As a result, the guys over at Eggchasers Rugby put together their own drawer the 2023 tournament based on the current World Rugby rankings.
Concentrating on only the top 10 countries in the world, it looks significant.
It was very different with England handed a much sterner test in their pool. Watch the full video here.
POOL A actual draw:
- France
- New Zealand
POOL A up to date draw
- France
- Australia