6/4/01 - Duckworth may move in for cash-strapped Wasps

If it comes off, it could see some of the London club's top players, such as former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio, coming to Sixways.

Duckworth sees a possible takeover, which would cost around £5 million, as a back-door route to Premiership rugby, and it could lead to the club being renamed Worcester Wasps.

Worcester's hopes of automatic promotion from National Division One are fading after last week's costly defeat at title rivals Leeds, with a promotion place only open to the champions.

Duckworth said he had made "an enquiry" with the administrators running the club, and added: "Their assets are three-fold. They have a position in the Premiership, they have some great players and Wasps is a great name."

Duckworth was thwarted in a bid to take over Sale a couple of years ago. He said: "They approached me in that particular case, but at that time the rules of the Rugby Football Union were unclear.

"Now they have looked at this issue, there is nothing now to stop a team in the second division buying a team in the first."

He said of the chances of a deal going through: "It is an interesting situation but at this particular moment I wouldn't like to put odds on it. It is very early days."

Mr Duckworth said the Worcester club would still be trying its hardest to win promotion by orthodox means.

But added: "If we do win the league, we would still be interested because they have the team."

Wasps currently ground-share with Queen's Park Rangers Football Club, and the company which owns both clubs, Loftus Road plc, went into administration this week with debts of £11 million.

Chris Wright, the chairman of both clubs, has put together a rescue package which would involve him buying the rugby club for £5 million and selling the football club for £6 million.

But besides the Worcester approach, it is also believed that London rivals Saracens are preparing an offer to gain control of Wasps' playing squad.