Bristol Bears are one of a trio of clubs reported to be interested in signing Worcester Warriors captain Ted Hill should his current club go into administration as feared.
Worcester’s involvement in the fast-approaching Gallagher Premiership season remains in serious doubt after players and staff were told they are unlikely to be paid today (Wednesday).
The club’s finances have been frozen by HM Revenue and Customs while they chase unpaid tax and the prospect of the August payroll obligation being met is remote, with the club repeatedly being late with payments in recent months.
Any players with wages still due on Wednesday can serve notice to Worcester to rectify the outstanding payment. If this has not happened within 14 days then the player can terminate the contract, which also takes 14 days, and leave as a free agent.
The only way a player can depart immediately is because of an insolvency event such as administration or if an agreement with the club is reached. The Rugby Players’ Association are helping to advise squad members.
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A winding-up petition has been issued by HMRC, with owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham looking to find new buyers while hoping to avoid administration.
With the future of the Warriors now in doubt, many rivals clubs are reported to have enquired about some of the top talent at the club.
British and Irish Lions winger Duhan van der Merwe has been linked with a return to his former club Edinburgh Rugby, with the Scottish Rugby Union keen on him getting regular playing time 12 months out from a World Cup.
Emerging fly-half talent Fin Smith, who was rumoured to be Northampton Saints’ number on target to replace out-of-contract Dan Biggar at Franklin’s Gardens next season could now move a year earlier according to the latest reports. At the same time, highly rated flanker Kyle Hatherell has reportedly had an offer to join a French Top 14 club, with a transfer fee for the 27-year-old agreed allowing him to leave immediately.
Meanwhile Bristol, Leicester Tigers and Wasps are all interested in adding 23-year-old England international flanker Hill to their ranks according to The Rugby Paper, despite the restrictions of the £5m Premiership salary cap.
Bears director of rugby Pat Lam certainly appears to be looking to strengthen his backrow options having seen Nathan Hughes and Mitch Eadie leave at the end of their contracts in June.
Scotland international Magnus Bradbury arrived from Edinburgh this summer and impressed on his club debut in the 45-28 pre-season victory over Dragons, but Lam currently has released former Worcester flanker Sam Lewis at the club on trial.
Lewis is a proven Premiership operator who could provide good depth and competition to the Bears squad, but Hill, as a young English international and proven leader is certainly a step up in quality as one of Worcester’s crown jewels.
Worcester’s opening Premiership match is against London Irish on September 10, although Saracens - who were due to be on a bye week for Round One of the league season - have reportedly been told to be prepared to play the Exiles in their place should the club collapse.
Worcester are due to face Glasgow in a pre-season friendly in Inverness on Friday with one of the club’s sponsors understood to be financing the trip. The Premiership launch takes place a day earlier. For now the landscape at the club remains desperately uncertain.
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