Here are your rugby evening headlines for Wednesday, 21 September.
Wasps face relegation
English club Wasps face relegation from the Gallagher Premiership after filing notice in the High Court they intend to go into administration.
The bombshell news was broken by the Times on Wednesday afternoon and comes at a time when another Premiership club, Worcester, are teetering on the edge of financial oblivion.
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Wasps failed to meet a May deadline to pay back £35m in bonds they owe, which helped finance the relocation from London to Coventry in 2014. The club had been looking for refinance options but today issued notice of intention to appoint an administrator.
Under RFU rules, a team that goes into administration faces automatic relegation unless it can be demonstrated the financial predicament is not their fault.
Scarlets centre ready to take Wales chance with both hands
Scarlets centre Johnny Williams is chomping at the bit for another opportunity in a Wales jersey after not featuring on this summer's tour of South Africa.
Despite ending last season strongly in Llanelli, Williams didn't feature for Wayne Pivac's side in any of the three Tests against the Springboks. However, Williams showed no signs of rust with a solid start to the season against the Ospreys on the weekend and he's determined to take his chance at Test level whenever it comes his way.
"First and foremost, it was really good to be back out there," said Williams. "It's been a long time since I last played.
"I went out to South Africa with Wales but didn't manage to pick up a game. My last game was against the Stormers at the end of last season so it was good to be back playing. Frustrating with the result, but it's good to back on the pitch.
"It's a tough one as it's amazing to be picked (for the South Africa tour) and you're privileged to go on tour. But at the end of the day, you want to play rugby. My opportunity didn't come, but when it does, I'll have to take it with both hands.
"Personally I was pretty confident. I felt I was playing well towards the end of the year. I was happy where my rugby was going into the tour. Obviously I didn't get a shot but my time will come."
Wales captain blown away by honour
Wales boss Ioan Cunningham has put his faith in Siwan Lillicrap to lead the squad to the Women's Rugby World Cup despite her being confined to the bench for both warm-ups against Canada and England.
Hannah Jones, named World Cup vice-captain, skippered the team in both of those games, but Cunningham has stuck with the experienced No. 8 Lillicrap, who has been deployed at No. 6 and in the second row in recent months to accommodate Sioned Harries - who heads to her fourth World Cup - returning to the squad and challenging at the back of the scrum.
Wales' World Cup opener is against Scotland on October 9, while Wales also face reigning world champions New Zealand and Australia in the pool stages.
Lillicrap said of the captain's armband: "It feels surreal, to be honest. I never take anything for granted, I’ve taken each year and each campaign as it comes. When Ioan asked me, I never assumed that was going to be the case, but it’s a huge honour and privilege to be able to lead the team out in New Zealand.
"That’s the icing on the cake for me after a tough few years. But it’s still back to work, essentially, and leading the team to my best ability. Hopefully we can go out there and have success. It’s a massive honour and privilege for me.
"You barely dream of this, because it’s beyond any expectation, so I feel really privileged to be given this chance."
Cunningham added: "I think she’s a massive part of this group, not only before my time but what she’s done with this group of players, what she’s done outside of the environment, here in our environment, and also on the field. There was no doubt in my mind that Siwan was the one to lead us into this competition."
Worcester's future in doubt as club handed more deadlines
Worcester Warriors' continued participation in the Gallagher Premiership is in more doubt after the RFU issued more deadlines regarding assurances over ground safety, funding and the proposed takeover at the club.
The RFU had originally issued a deadline last week regarding health and safety assurances surrounding the Worcester home match versus Exeter at Sixways. However, that deadline was met in time for the fixture was played as scheduled.
But, with Worcester set to stage their second home match in the Premiership this Saturday against Newcastle, the RFU has now set the club a fresh deadline of noon on Thursday in order for that match to go ahead.
A second deadline of 5pm on Monday has also been set by the RFU regarding insurance cover and the ability of Worcester to meet the September payroll.
A statement read: “The RFU, Premiership Rugby and DCMS have been seeking assurances from the Worcester Warriors owners regarding funding and potential new ownership proposals for several weeks.
“We are grateful to the staff at Worcester Warriors for their hard work in being able to provide the required information to allow the games to go ahead last weekend and in the week ahead. The RFU has set the same conditions for the matches this weekend to go ahead as were in place for the previous weekend. These must be met by noon on Thursday, September 22, as, in particular, Newcastle Falcons will be travelling on Friday, September 23.
“However, all parties remain concerned that the lack of available funds will not allow the club to be sustainable over the long term. In particular, the RFU is aware that insurance cover is only in place until midnight on Monday, September 26.
“Therefore, the RFU has written to Worcester Warriors to confirm they will be suspended from all competitions, including the Gallagher Premiership, Allianz Premier 15s and Allianz Cup if the club cannot evidence insurance cover in place, availability of funds to meet the monthly payroll, and a credible plan to take the club forward by 5pm on September 26.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the club had finally confirmed their squad less than hours ahead of their first Premiership Cup match against Gloucester. There were fears they would have to concede the opening match of the cup competition - which they won last year - however, they have managed to cobble together a 22-man squad that features 41-year-old coach Jonny Goodridge and retired ex-player Mat Gilbert on the bench in a squad that includes five guest players.
Goodridge hasn't played professional rugby in six years, while former Scarlets back-row Gilbert, who has won 11 caps for England Deaf team, retired at the end of last season to run his pizza business.
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