7/5/03 - Worcester wait on title verdict

The Yorkshire club's official accession to the Zur-ich Premiership has been put on hold for a couple of days as English rugby union chiefs have requested more information from the National League One winners.

Under fire Rotherham were controversially denied promotion the season be-fore last as their ground failed to meet the required standards, but they have again finished top of the table after pipping Worcester to the title.

A board meeting of England Rugby Ltd this week re-ceived an Independent Auditors' Report in respect of Rotherham.

Certain aspects were identified by the board for which further information and clarification was required.

"It is anticipated that the further information and clarification will have been received within the next 48 hours, at which time the board's decision in respect of promotion from National Division One will be made," said a statement from England Rugby.

Rotherham chairman Jim Kilfoyle claimed he was not overly concerned, as he believed the delay was just an administrative issue.

"They need a letter from our auditors which they haven't needed before showing that our wages are inside the wage cap -- and believe me we are inside the wage cap," said Kilfoyle.

"We have done everything they have asked."

Worcester's chairman Cecil Duckworth said recently that he thought Rotherham would be punished in some way for their off-the-field activities.

They have been accused of agreeing to stay in National One the season before last for payments from Premiership clubs.

Duckworth said Worcester believed they were guilty of breaking the rules.

He recalled a case when the Sixways club were deducted two points for a minor technical fault four years ago.

On the current points system that would be equivalent to five points.

"What you would do for what Rotherham have done, I really don't know," he said after Worcester had lost 21-9 against the champions.