THE owners of rugby's second division clubs were due to meet at Sixways today with a cloud still hanging over the new season.

Top of the agenda will be Rotherham's legal challenge surrounding the reduction of the top flight from 14 to 12 teams.

Worcester and the rest of the second division have backed claims that the Mayfair Agreement, signed just 12 months ago, has been breached and that two second division clubs should be promoted -- Rotherham and Worcester being the obvious choices after finishing second and third last season.

The Yorkshire side have sought legal advice to support their claims and legal proceedings will start on Thursday in Sheffield as part of a High Court challenge even though there are just seven weeks until the start of the new league season.

The situation follows the merger of London Scottish, London Irish and Richmond and all matters will be discussed next Tuesday when the owners of the top 28 clubs in England are due to meet.