WORCESTER Rugby Club stand to make more than £2 million if they beat Rotherham on Saturday.

The Sixways club square up to long-time promotion rivals Rotherham at the weekend and the winner of the clash will almost certainly win their place in the Zurich Premiership.

And with television monies, vastly increased RFU funding, massive commercial opportunities and double the gate receipts, the stakes for the Sixways showdown could not be higher.

"It is critical for the Warriors that they get into the Premiership," said First Division Rugby chief Geoff Cooke.

"I got the impression that this was last chance saloon for Worcester regarding chairman Cecil Duckworth's level of investment.

"Quite clearly, there is a big financial reward for the promoted club. It gives the club a whole new impetus. Not just the basic core money that comes with being in the Premiership but also the whole business.

"Selling the corporate hospitality, the increase in ground attendances, the television money. It is very, very important financially for the club to be in the Premiership.

"Two million wouldn't be out of line at all in terms of extra revenue. When I was at Worcester, we always thought that gaining Premiership status would boost finances by around £2m."

The former Sixways chief executive, who is now First Division Rugby's executive director, believes Saturday's clash is a big bonus for the image of the game outside of the top flight. And, with the live television coverage from British Sky Broadcasting, Cooke feels it is a good opportunity to spread the word.

"I just hope it's going to be a cracking, good game," he added. "The game will show the high standard of professionalism and ability of these two particular teams. We were lucky I think that it was a Heineken Cup weekend and BskyB didn't have the Premiership commitments.

"It's terrific that BskyB are covering the match. We are delighted. Obviously it reflects the great deal of interest generated from within the game concerning relegation and promotion. I've always said it is an important part of rugby at the top level."