CECIL Duckworth has reacted angrily to the news that Worcester Rugby Club have been ordered to pay £10,000 for their part in the failed RFU inquiry.

The results of Anthony Arlidge's inquiry into alleged financial misconduct within the game were published yesterday and Duckworth -- Worcester's chairman -- has been given a slap on the wrist for his part in the investigation.

It means that Worcester will have to pay some of the costs of the inquiry while Premier Rugby Limited will pick up the tab for £90,000 of the overall amount believed to be around £200,000.

The Sixways club were told to pay the amount after the inquiry alleged that Duckworth's dealing with the media brought the game into disrepute and harmed the final case. Duckworth, though, looks set to launch an appeal against what amounts to a fine.

"I find it outrageous that Worcester are fined and yet Rotherham get nothing. I have been the messenger in all of this, nothing more.

"I will talk to my lawyers and appeal against this because it is just incredible.

"I'm certainly not saying I won't pay the money because that would be inappropriate and may harm Worcester, but I will look to appeal because I'm not happy with what has been stated."

The inquiry failed to dig up concrete evidence in which to act on. Instead, letters will be sent out to Tom Walkinshaw, Charles Jillings, Mike Yarlett, Keith Barwell and Duckworth warning them about their future conduct.

The inquiry, which lasted six months, reported that discussions about the possibility of paying Rotherham off to stay down after winning promotion in 2002 had gone on. It also stated that Rotherham had been slow to make sure that their ground met promotion criteria.

Due to lack of hard evidence, though, it concluded that Rotherham, or the parties involved in the discussions, had no case to answer.