WERNER Swanepoel could miss Worcester's title showdown with Rotherham next month after seeing red at London Welsh.

The scrum-half was given a straight red card mid-way through the first-half at Old Deer Park on Saturday for allegedly kicking out at Florent Rossigneux and now faces an anxious wait over a possible ban.

The South African could be handed a six-week suspension by the Rugby Football Union's disciplinary panel -- a time period which would see him miss Worcester's all-important clash with promotion rivals Rotherham at Millmoor on November 23.

Worcester's director of rugby John Brain and coach Andy Keast will today survey video footage of the incident during the 53-7 National One win and are likely to suspend Swanepoel before the RFU panel come into proceedings.

They will also, however, see if there is a chance of appealing against the red card dished out by referee Mark Wilson.

Ironically, Swanepoel looked set to be rested for next weekend's Powergen Cup third round clash at Bracknell before the 26th minute incident at London Welsh. He now looks set to take an enforced break from Sixways duty over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Worcester have offered defensive coach Billy McGinty a contract after a successful four-week trial at Sixways.

The former Sale and Wigan coach has been brought in to tighten up Worcester's defence as they continue their promotion bid.

"We've agreed that Billy will stay with us until the end of the season," added Brain.

"He will be our defensive coach and we are very pleased to announce that. He has worked very well with the players over the past four weeks.

"I think the defensive effort against London Welsh in the second-half, with a man down, was testament to the work he and the players have put in. The opposition scored one try in that period and that was an interception try.

"It is a specialist role and we felt we needed someone there to take us forward. We didn't want to wait until we got into the Premiership to get it right and we've acted now in order to win the league and be ready for the top level.

"Rotherham won the league last season with the best defensive record and I'm sure that the team with the best defence will win it this time around. We hope that Billy's appointment is a step in that direction."