Wasps and Worcester in trouble – what is going wrong in English club rugby?

Wasps and Worcester are fighting for their futures amid a major credit crunch right across the Gallagher Premiership.

Here, the PA news agency examines what is going wrong in English club rugby’s beleaguered top-flight.

What has happened to Wasps?

Gloucester Rugby v Wasps – Gallagher Premiership – Kingsholm Stadium — Wasps coach Lee Blackett will be among those worried by Wednesday’s statement (Nigel French/PA)

What does that mean?

Gallagher Premiership 2022-23 Season Launch – Twickenham Stadium — The Gallagher Premiership coaches line up with the trophy ahead of the 2022 season (Aaron Chown/PA)

Are Wasps in administration then?

RICOH Arena Return for Coventry City — Wasps in happier times when Stephen Vaughan could announce Coventry’s return to the stadium alongside Dave Boddy in 2021 (Jacob King/PA)

What are the risks to Wasps?

Premiership Rugby | Statement from Wasps Holding Limited. Click below to read the full statement from the club ??? https://t.co/OBRtchJilb

— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) September 21, 2022

Premiership rules mean automatic relegation for any club slipping into administration. The financial fall-out of any such penalty could see the club fold.

How have Wasps come to this point?

Wasps v Bath – Gallagher Premiership – Ricoh Arena — Wasps have made Coventry’s stadium, pictured, their home since 2014 (Zac Goodwin/PA)

What about Worcester then?

? #Together? pic.twitter.com/rKfhLTr2MM

— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) September 21, 2022

Worcester are facing a battle to continue to operate from one day to the next. Owners Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring have insisted for more than a week that a deal is close to being completed with new buyers. But no evidence of that deal has yet been produced.