Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, October 5.
Worcester players become unemployed as Wales internationals lose jobs
A number of Wales internationals have become unemployed with immediate effect after the contracts of all Worcester players were terminated following a High Court ruling. They include Owen Williams and Ashley Beck, while a number of Wales Women players will also be affected just days before they begin their Rugby World cup campaign.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is pursuing the Warriors for unpaid tax in the region of £6million. While Worcester are in administration, the company that holds player and some staff contracts - WRFC Players Ltd, a subsidiary of WRFC Trading Ltd - had been operational and was the subject of HMRC's action. However, it has now been placed in compulsory liquidation. Judge Nicholas Briggs made an order winding up WRFC Players Ltd at an Insolvency & Companies Court hearing on Wednesday.
It means the contracts of players and a large number of staff, who were employed by WRFC Players Limited, are terminated and they are able to join other clubs. Men's captain Ted Hill, Ollie Lawrence, Fergus Lee-Warner and Valeriy Morozov having already joined Bath on loan.
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Because they had not been paid for September, all players were able to leave on October 14, meaning that liquidation has simply brought their departure forward by nine days.
Wales men's internationals Williams and Beck are affected, along with Welshmen Harri Doel and Marc Thomas, while former Wales winger Mark Jones has been assistant coach.
As for Wales Women internationals, a number of them represented what has recently been rebranded as the University of Worcester Warriors women's team. While not all teams in the Premier 15s draw a salary for their players (some offer part-time salaries, match fees, expenses, etc), Worcester's women will likely have been contracted and that is now void. Eight Wales Women internationals - Carys Phillips, Alex Callender, Sioned Harries, Natalia John, Caryl Thomas, Ffion Lewis, Lowri Norkett and Niamh Terry - learned the news in New Zealand, where they are preparing to face Scotland in their Rugby World Cup opener in the early hours of this Sunday.
English rugby's 'darkest day'
Director of rugby Steve Diamond has labelled the partial liquidation of Worcester Warriors the "darkest day for English rugby".
"This is the darkest day for English rugby," Diamond wrote on Twitter. "We thought we could turn the tanker around but it's ended up like the Titanic, sadly. The ship has sunk, the captains are nowhere to be seen. The RFU/PRL band played in the back ground. There are a privileged few who have jobs."
Club captain Ted Hill said on Twitter: "What an unbelievably sad day for everyone in Worcester. A club who meant so much to everyone has gone the direction none of us wanted it to. A place where I played my rugby from 14 years of age and met so many people who mean so much to me and my family...
"To my team-mates, thank you for all the memories we have made together, they will be times that I will never forget. Then finally to the fans of Worcester, this is obviously not where any of us wanted this to end up, but the way you have supported us and the staff through this whole saga has be unbelievable and we're forever grateful for that.
"There will be nothing written for the people who put us in this situation but to the governing bodies of rugby, something needs to change so that this doesn't happen to any club again. Thank you Worcester for everything."
RFU react
In response to the latest development, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: "This is a very sad day for rugby in England. Our thoughts are with all of the Worcester Warriors players, staff and supporters.
"The RFU will continue to speak to the administrators, and potential buyers, during the course of the next 24 hours to understand the possibility of a buyer taking over the club in time for the men’s team to participate in the Gallagher Premiership during season 2022/23.
"We are also liaising with the administrators in relation to discussions .with potential funders, which may enable the University of Worcester Warriors women’s team to continue in the Allianz Premier 15s even if the men’s team cannot continue to participate this season.
"The RFU will continue to support community rugby in Worcester and is fully committed to ensuring local academy opportunities are provided for pathway players."
Wayne Barnes to break Nigel Owens' record
English referee Wayne Barnes is set to make history when he takes charge of his 100th and 101st Tests during the November international window.
Barnes, who made his debut in Fiji in June 2006, will become only the second referee to reach a century of Tests behind Welshman Nigel Owens when he takes charge of Wales v New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, November 5.
The Englishman will then set an outright record of 101 Tests when he referees the match between Six Nations Grand Slam winners France and world champions South Africa in Paris a week later, on November 12.
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: "Congratulations to Wayne on his selection and pending record. To be so good for so long as a referee is no easy feat. Wayne Barnes, like Nigel Owens before him, reaches 100 Tests by being not just a fantastic referee, but a great team player, a student of the game and someone who is greatly respected by players, coaches and fans alike."
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