SOON-TO-BE new owners of Worcester Warriors, Atlas, "see no reason" why they will be required to start from "the very bottom of the pyramid" if and when the club joins forces with Stourbridge RFC to return to competition. 

Warriors have been in administration since October 2022 but Atlas, directed by Jim O'Toole and James Sandford, were revealed as the successful bidder by administrators Begbies Traynor in February.

On Wednesday, the Rugby Football Union stated that any new Worcester Warriors side "could restart at the bottom of the pyramid in season 2023/24 but this would be right at the bottom."

READ MORE | RFU confirm they have not received any proposals from Atlas group

But Atlas don't seem to agree that would be the case and released the following statement on Wednesday afternoon.

"We see no reason for a new Worcester Warriors to go to the bottom of the rugby pyramid," said Jim O'Toole.

"We are still in constant dialogue with Stourbridge RFC about the proposed commercial sponsorship with their first team playing as a re-branded Worcester Warriors in Regional 1 Midlands in 2023/24, with the goal of a return to Championship level rugby within 5 years and their migration to Sixways. That remains the aim, subject of course to Stourbridge membership approval firstly, then RFU consultation and approval

"We also recently explained that we will be setting up a Hardship Fund, which will be managed by an independent body, with funding to be made available to those who were most critically impacted by the insolvency of the previous business including local businesses. 

"We have shown our resource and commitment to the local community by taking on all running costs of the stadium and staff since exchange which in turn has given comfort to staff that the stadium would remain open, that they would be paid on time and that the Warriors Women, the Warriors Foundation, Midlands Academy, Worcester Raiders and the many other events could continue on-site while we move to completion in the coming weeks.

"We look forward to bringing rugby back to Sixways as soon as possible, providing jobs for the local community and bringing back life to the venue which will benefit the whole community and our next statement will be in relation to completion in due course."