Worcester’s application to return to professional rugby next season has been rejected by the Rugby Football Union.

Both sides were removed from the Premiership after going into administration in October.

The RFU board had been assessing the applications from bidders aiming to take over the two stricken clubs.

Worcester, whose debts totalled more than £30m when they went under, have been the subject of a bid from former Warriors chief executive Jim O’Toole and his Atlas consortium.

Atlas accused the governing body of trying to impose “onerous operational conditions” on the group as they negotiate a takeover with administrators Begbies Traynor.

The RFU said they had “put forward a number of conditions” for the prospective buyers to meet, including commitments not to dispose of land around Sixways stadium and the “swift” payment of rugby creditors.

“The bidders, selected by the administrators of the insolvent WRFC Trading Limited, have informed us that they are not prepared to meet these conditions, and therefore the RFU board was unable to approve their application,” a statement continued.

“The RFU will now work with the administrator to enable alternative bids that would secure professional rugby at Sixways and to work together in a timetable to enable that to happen.”

Their decision could see the renewal of a bid by a consortium led by former Warriors director of rugby Steve Diamond.

“I can confirm that Adam Hewitt and I are fully committed to bringing Worcester Warriors back to the Premiership. We have the plan and the funding. Give us the opportunity. We will give you the rugby. Bring it on,” Diamond posted on Twitter on Thursday.

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said that although the news was not what Worcester fans and former staff wanted to hear, the best interests of the club was their “key priority”.

He added: “We are prepared to extend the deadlines to explore if an alternative bidder can be found who has the continuation of rugby in Worcester central to its business plan.”

However, Atlas said in a statement on Thursday that if the RFU did not change its stance, they would look to conclude a deal “without the approval of the RFU and without returning elite level rugby to Worcester”.

Wasps move to next stage

Wasps had debts totalling £95m when they went into administration, but an offer from a consortium including members of the club’s legends group was accepted at the end of October.

Their bid does not include the women’s team, which is a separate club and will continue to play as part of the amateur side Wasps FC.

The RFU say they will continue to work with the bidders over the coming weeks to meet a number of “specific conditions” they had laid down.

The statement continued: “These include a range of financial commitments to ensure that the club remains funded, the lodging of a significant bond, the regular provision of financial and other information, swift payment of rugby creditors, and corporate governance requirements including relating to the club’s board of directors and risk management process.”

The decisions were taken following a due diligence process conducted by the RFU’s financial viability group.

It includes members of the RFU board, council and executive staff, representatives from Premier Rugby, the Championship and National League Rugby, plus specialist insolvency experts.