What is the SRU up to in bidding for Worcester?
With a deal on, a question lingers...
THE SRU are edging closer to a controversial takeover of Worcester Warriors — with the governing body on a shortlist of two to purchase the English Premiership club.
It’s a deal that would have major repercussions for rugby on both sides of the border and has already caused dissent within the Scottish rugby community and supporters of the West Midlands outfit.
It is believed that the SRU want to buy the club as a base for Scottish players to play in England’s top league, although they have, thus far, refused to comment on their interest.
A decision is expected by the end of this week, with the only other interested party being former Swindon Town chairman Jed McCrory.
The English businessman had been granted a period of exclusivity to complete a deal when the club was put up for sale by Sixways Holdings Limited back in September.
He remains the Worcester board’s preferred bidder, but, after two months of negotiations, his initial bid was turned down earlier this month. McCrory, however, is expected to come back with an improved financial offer.
The SRU have lodged their bid, the value of which has not been revealed, and must now wait to see if that will be accepted. Even if they do win the race, there will still be hurdles to overcome.
The RFU will have the final say on whether the deal can go through and they may not welcome a rival union running a club in the English Premiership. Any ownership change of over 20 per cent has to be agreed by the RFU after consulting the rest of the Premiership clubs.
An SRU takeover could also be opposed by European Professional Club Rugby, who run the Champions and Challenge Cups, on the grounds of conflict of interest as they also own both Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors.
If the SRU gets the go-ahead, they would still have to convince Worcester and Scotland rugby fans that the move has their best interests at heart. At present, there are plenty of questions and little in the way of answers.
Why have the SRU decided to pursue a stake in an English club rather than back and fund a third Scottish professional side?
Where is the money coming from? SRU chief executive Mark Dodson has done a great job financially, but the SRU debt is still around £5.2million, according to their latest results.
A lack of funds was also blamed for the inability to keep hold of the likes of Finn Russell, who recently Intrigue: Scotland cap David Denton surges through a tackle while playing for Worcester against Leicester Tigers and could soon see the SRU take over his club agreed to join big-spending French giants Racing 92.
In that regard, there had also been plans to attract private investment in Scotland’s two professional clubs, but have they now been dropped?
The SRU already have a partnership agreement with Lille in France, where Scottish players and coaches are sent to develop.
The Worcester deal will be much more than that and would have to be heavily financed — especially if they plan on keeping the English club’s fan base, already nervously asking what exactly the SRU would do to their club, onside.
Another possible fly in the ointment in the SRU’s plan is that Worcester are second bottom of the Premiership table and could be relegated from the top tier at the end of the season.
The SRU pulled out of a proposed major investment in London Scottish, where Scotland international George Turner was sent on loan last season, partly because they played in the English Championship rather than the Premiership.
Former Scotland and Lion prop Peter Wright last night said that answers are needed if people are to be convinced such a bold move will benefit Scottish rugby.
‘Why they are interested in the first place will be lost on most people, including me,’ said Wright. ‘How can they ensure Scottish players only end up at Worcester?
‘Money talks and if a player gets a better offer from another English club, he will go there.
‘The SRU say they lose their top players like Finn Russell to France yet they are thinking of investing in an English club rather than releasing more money to the playing budget at Edinburgh and Glasgow.
‘Also, to keep a team in the Premiership needs lots of cash. I thought the SRU were in debt?
‘If they want a third team for Scottish players, why not set up their own, maybe in Aberdeen?
‘Why go to England? The fans deserve answers. I am not convinced it is good for Scottish rugby. I have real concerns.’
There is already a Scottish influence at Worcester in the shape of head coach Carl Hogg, Scotland international David Denton and former Edinburgh fly-half Tom Heathcote. Whether more will be joining them remains to be seen.
The SRU said last night they would be making no comment on the matter. A Worcester Warriors spokesman said nobody from the current board of directors was available, while RFU and Premiership spokesmen also refused to comment.