SRU owe us answers on Worcester

THE incredulity of rugby fans up and down the country was summed up in one short, sharp tweet from 1990 Grand Slam captain David Sole.

‘Is it the 1st of April?!’ he asked this week in response to news of the SRU’s bid to take over Worcester Warriors.

The Scotland legend, unsurprisingly, is not alone in thinking the move to buy the English Premiership club is some sort of joke. Mainly because no one at the game’s governing body has offered anything by way of an explanation, reason or defence.

At present, north and south of the border, the situation is raising plenty of questions. Valid, understandable questions. And concerns. But there are no answers forthcoming.

Indeed, the SRU steadfastly refuse to say what benefit buying an ailing English club would have for Scottish rugby.

One could assume they want to place Scottish players at Worcester to allow them to play in the Premiership, but Murrayfield chiefs refuse to either confirm or deny that.

Fans of the English side are, rightly, concerned about the Warriors being turned into some sort of feeder club. They fear for the future of their team.

And, of course, there are questions over the size of the investment, and where the money is coming from.

After all, SRU chief executive Mark Dodson has been trying — and so far failing — for more than a year to sell off a stake in both Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors.

If the price is right, the governing body would even consider selling either one or both of the pro teams to help balance the books.

Yet, even while seeking private investment for their current sides, the SRU are locked in talks to buy over Worcester Warriors.

According to their latest figures, the SRU’s average debt is £5.2million and they have regularly reiterated that they can’t afford to set up a third professional side in this country.

Indeed, only three weeks ago, Dodson revealed the SRU didn’t have the funds to keep Finn Russell from leaving Glasgow to sign for Racing 92.

Yet, there appears to be the finance available to buy over and run an English Premiership club. It’s baffling stuff.

Scotland’s amateur clubs, who are stakeholders in the SRU, are also concerned about the implications for them if money and players are funnelled out of the game up here.

No deal has yet been done by the SRU and there is another interested party that Worcester Warriors would prefer to take them over.

But, as former Swindon Town chairman Jed McCrory’s initial bid has been rejected, it could be the case that the SRU offer is the only one left on the table.

Whether they win the race to take over Warriors or not, the SRU should explain their reasoning for trying to buy the club in the first place.

Rugby fans deserve answers — rather than being kept in the dark over such a radical move.