WORCESTER Warriors have issued a statement reaffirming the club’s desire to return to the top flight of English rugby after reports claimed the club missed the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU’s) promotion deadline.
An article published in The Guardian, written by Robert Kitson, suggested Warriors ‘missed the deadline’ to formally apply for promotion to Prem Rugby next season.
The article claims only Ealing Trailfinders and Doncaster Knights have applied for promotion to the Prem in 2026.
Ealing have failed to meet the RFU’s minimum standards criteria in each of the past two seasons while Doncaster are way off the pace in the lower reaches in the Champ Rugby table.
And Worcester have responded to claims the club missed the RFU’s promotion deadline and insist Warriors want to return to the Prem at the earliest opportunity.
The statement reads: “At Worcester Warriors, we are committed to our ambition of returning to the Prem, and we have the facilities and fanbase to meet the minimum standards necessary to be a success at that level.
“Having recently re-established ourselves as a professional club, we have been clear and steadfast in our intention to use this season as a stabilising introduction to professional sport.
“We have grown exponentially from the start and it is a surprise to no one that we have the intention of seeking an early return to the Prem in the near future.
“Our first year back as Worcester Warriors has seen record season ticket and hospitality sales, a strong performance on the pitch, rave reviews of the matchday experience, and we are on track to exceed the financial business plan we have in place.
“There are well documented ongoing conversations about the future structure of the Prem and Champ Rugby and what promotion, relegation or expansion will look like, both this season and going forward. We are actively engaged in these conversations.
“Naturally, it is not ideal that the Champ clubs are in a situation where we are well into a season with no certainty of what the outcome will be, and as such we have to plan sensibly. We have promised that prudent ambition to our supporters, sponsors and players.
“Whilst conversations between both leagues will take place in the new year, we have all read the speculative articles and suggestions on what might happen.
“What won’t change though is our determination to meet our financial and resilient business plan objectives, and to be promoted to the Prem, at the earliest opportunity.”
The RFU Council voted unanimously for a need to change the current professional rugby system in England at a meeting in October.
However, the nature of those changes and what it might mean for Champ Rugby clubs remains unclear.
