IT'S almost two years since died-in-the-wool Worcester Rugby Club fans were left bemused by the idea that benefactor Cecil Duckworth's financial clout could buy them Sale RFC and, with it, a place in the top flight.

The prospect arose as Worcester's efforts to win promotion fell tantalisingly short on the pitch, but eventually foundered on the rocks of some unsurprisingly vague RFU rules.

In the 24 hours since news broke of Mr Duckworth's early interest in taking over troubled Wasps, doubtless the topic has taxed thoughts again.

So let's be honest. The whole of a sporting season becomes worthless if an unsuccessful team simply bypasses the system, no matter how flawed that system is.

The ability of your players is what matters, surely? That glorious, stomach-churning unpredictability of a bouncing ball, or a dropped pass. Lose that and you lose sport itself.

How we'd love to cling to that principle. Regrettably, but understandably, when you've ploughed millions into making a club a success, there's an even greater consideration.

Since the Sale days of 1999, two critical factors have run in tandem - the Gold'n'Blues still haven't secured promotion by right, and the professional sport's administration has remained amateur. One is Worcester's fault, the other isn't.

The saga of how many teams can win promotion to Premiership One has been farcical, and it remains so, despite a solution being ground out for the next two seasons.

That's why even the Sixways diehards should find Worcester's early interest in acquiring Wasps acceptable.

Now that RFU rules allow Second Division clubs to by First, Cecil Duckworth can't afford to run the risk of the drawbridge being pulled up again between now and 2003 - unless his team's on the inside of the fortress.

It's the only option. We mustn't be left on the outside, looking in.