WORCESTER are confident that entry to the Premiership will be rubber-stamped next week.

The wait for clarification of promotion has seemed an eternity for many supporters after the April 5 audit of Sixways.

With the past history of failed promotion bids -- because of inadequate ground criteria -- many had begun to wonder whether Worcester's Premiership dream would be turned into a nightmare as the drawbridge was pulled up yet again.

However, with the inspection's findings due to find their way to the Rugby Football Union and English Rugby this week, the National One champions are looking at next week as their date with destiny.

"Everything is in good order," said Worcester chairman Cecil Duckworth. "It may have seemed a long wait for our supporters but the audit carried out was very thorough and it does take a little time.

"The audit will go off to the RFU chief executive Francis Baron this week and we expect to have the all-clear by next week."

It will be a timely announcement for Worcester with some clubs already sensing the opportunity to launch a dirty tricks campaign against them. With people determined to undermine Worcester's preparation, the whispers had already spread that promotion may yet be denied.

It is the latest trick to try and destabilise a recruitment policy which yesterday added another two names to the Sixways roll call. Siaosi Vaili and Dale Rasmussen became the third and fourth signings for next season's Premiership baptism but they will not be the last.

With coaches John Brain and Andy Keast already looking at beefing up the pack and adding quality finishers to the backline, the next few weeks will be an exciting time for supporters.

For the existing squad, however, it is a time where worlds are turned upside down. Players who have put Worcester where they are today will be called into the office to receive the heartbreaking news. Their Sixways career is over.

"It's a difficult time of year for players," said Brain, Worcester's director of rugby.

"It's also not easy for the management. There will be a number of concerned individuals who start the game against Birmingham on Saturday.

"They can be proud of what they've achieved this season, though, and nobody at Worcester is ever likely to forget their contribution."

"We've talked about highs and lows of the season," added Keast. "There haven't been many lows but, definitely, there is a big low coming up next week when we have to talk about contract renewals.

"We've built quite a bond with the squad this season and it will be very, very disappointing to let some of them go. It's a professional business, though, and it's our responsibility to do that job.

"If we are sentimental, we won't last long."

So, with that lack of sentiment in the Sixways air, just who is safe? With Chris Hall, Ben Daly, Drew Hickey, Duncan Roke, Daren O'Leary, Craig Gillies and Ben Hinshelwood all still under contract, the assumption can be made that they will be at Sixways next season.

Add to that the signings of Clive Stuart-Smith, Pat Sanderson, Vaili and Rasmussen and you can begin to see some shape emerging with the departure of Werner Swanepoel and the retirements of Christian Evans, Richard Bates and David Officer.

If you then add Tony Windo, Neil Lyman, Lee Fortey, Mark Gabey, Neil Mason, Gary Trueman, Matt Powell, James Brown and Tommy Hayes to the list of certainties to stay put, the picture becomes a little clearer.

Worcester have already admitted their interest in lock Tom Bowman while they are monitoring two props in France, another two Premiership back row forwards and a possible move for a third hooker could be on the cards.

The backs look a settled unit with Powell, Brown, Hayes, Hinshelwood, Trueman, Rasmussen, O'Leary and Roke but there still remains a question mark over Worcester's wingers.

Will Jon Hylton, Wes Davies, Chris Garrard and Nnamdi Ezulike be at Sixways next season? Garrard, you have to suspect, is in pole position for a new deal but with a number of star-studded wingers desperate to make the switch to Worcester, the temptation may be to bring in some fresh talent.

It all points towards a fascinating conclusion to what has been an enthralling season. Saturday's celebrations may evoke tears of celebration but, for some, next week is the time where emotions will be running the highest.