WORCESTER Rugby Club are sweating on their Premiership dream after England Rugby deferred a decision on their fate.

A meeting, to decide whether the National One champions would be promoted next season, went on late last night at Twickenham and the 10-man board of England Rugby eventually plumped to take legal advice before making a concrete decision.

Rotherham are incensed that Worcester could be allow-ed into the top flight after the Sixways club failed to meet a planning deadline and have threatened ERL with legal action if Cecil Duckworth's men are promoted.

A statement from Twickenham read: "The board of ERL has received further documentation relating to Worcester's planning permission. The board has, however, also been put on notice of a possible legal challenge and has therefore decided to seek legal advice on the situation.

"It hopes to receive its legal advice within the next 7-10 days. A further statement will be issued at that time."

Rotherham were denied promotion two years ago after ERL decided that their application or facilities were not up to scratch.

However, after Worcester failed to meet a planning permission deadline of March 31 for their temporary East Stand, the South Yorkshire club believe it would be unfair, because of precedent, to allow the Warriors into the Premiership.

ERL were last night desperately weighing up Rotherham's legal challenge and, after the extended meeting, have decided to wait on further advice.

Duckworth, though, remains unmoved and believes he has the backing of the board.

"It is understandable that ERL should take further advice on the strength of the legal challenge," said Duckworth.

"We hope that we can bring the decision forward. Rotherham are grasping at straws.

"ERL accepted that, as long as we had our plans and permission in place, that they would ap-prove our promotion.

"That was never an issue with England Rugby but it seems it is an issue with Rotherham. They have threatened legal action and, in my opinion, they are bringing the game into disrepute."