WORCESTER Rugby Club's hopes of buying troubled Premiership club Wasps appear to have been dashed.

Sixways benefactor Cecil Duckworth had expressed an interest in buying the London-based club and its players, including former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio, after its parent company, Loftus Road plc, went into administration with debts of £11 million.

However, chairman Chris Wright has regained control by buying the club in a multi-million pound deal through a new company, London Wasps Holdings Ltd.

The deal cuts Wasps free from Queen's Park Rangers, whose ground they share, although they will continue to play there. Ray Hocking of administrators BDO Stoy Hayward, said: "The deal will help to secure the club's long-term future."

Worcester had hoped to take over Wasps' Premiership place, with their hopes of automatic promotion having faded after last week's defeat against title rivals Leeds.