WORCESTER Warriors' place in the Premiership will be debated by England Rugby today.

The 10-man board, made up of representatives from the RFU and the Zurich Premiership, will talk through Worcester's bid for top-flight rugby.

Suggestions last week seeped into the media that a last-minute hitch could yet derail the Warriors' place in the Premiership. However, an administrative glitch is unlikely to stop Worcester who remain confident that common sense will prevail.

Meanwhile, Brain has admitted his surprise at Clive Stuart-Smith's England snub. The scrum half - who made the summer switch from Leeds Tykes to Sixways - was not included in England's touring squad for New Zealand and Australia. He will instead spearhead England's under-21 World Cup bid in Scotland next month.

"I must admit I was surprised but Clive hasn't been playing lately," added Brain.

Fellow new signing Pat Sanderson has been called up by England to play sevens rugby and then to travel to Canada for the Churchill Cup.