THE relationship between the Rugby Football Union and the preferred bidders looking to buy Worcester Warriors out of administration appears to be at breaking point.

Atlas Worcester Warriors RFC Limited, the consortium headed by Jim O'Toole and James Sandford, have released a statement in the last hour, claiming the RFU are being 'oppressive' in their approach to scrutinise and intervene in the groups' aim to save the club.

They say the RFU are wanting to impose 'onerous operational conditions, commercial restrictions and barriers' on the consortium, who have been held up in their plans to purchase the club due to the RFU's own delay in the fit and proper director's test.

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Atlas claim the RFU had, at the start of December, received clear indications that they were satisfied on the financial due-diligence aspects of the consortium.

But now there seems to have been a significant collapse in any agreement between the RFU and Atlas and as such, rugby at the club remains under threat.

As a result of administration, Warriors (and Wasps) were relegated to the Championship for 2023/24 but the deadline to apply to be in that competition has now passed (Monday, December 12)

The RFU had said there would be flexibility on that front, but the feeling now is that might not be true.

"Unfortunately, in our view, the RFU are currently refusing to accept our reasonable and sustainable position and the RFU are instead seeking, in our view, to apply stringent oversights and conditions on us which are disproportionate, and contain onerous terms," the statement read.

Worcester News:

"We appreciate the that the RFU are now seeking to scrutinise the position of new owners, as is their obligation to do so," continued the statement.

"However in our view it is unacceptable to punish those looking to satisfy creditors, community, fans and staff for the mistakes of others in circumstances where we have evidenced to the RFU a strong management team, a detailed business plan and evidence of funding and sustainability.

"Unfortunately, for rugby to be viable at Worcester, we cannot accept terms that are excessive, unreasonable and unworkable and which would hinder a commercial business that is needed to support elite men's and women's rugby.

"As a result, should the RFU not find the flexibility to remove the over onerous terms they are seeking to impose on Atlas, we will have no alternative but to conclude the deal with Begbies Traynor without the approval of the RFU and without returning elite level rugby to Worcester."

THE RFU confirmed that a meeting would take place on Friday to discuss this matter and would not comment further.