CECIL Duckworth remained defiant last night after confirmation of highways approval arrived at Sixways.

Worcester Rugby Club's chairman has been awaiting news from the Highways Agency over the National One champions' plans for traffic management on match days next season in the Premiership.

And yesterday, the permission from highways was faxed through to the Rugby Football Union's headquarters as Worcester sought their final confirmation of promotion.

Speculation has grown within rugby circles that the board of England Rugby Ltd are increasingly unhappy at the delay of planning permission for Worcester's new temporary East Stand.

Rotherham, denied promotion two seasons ago, have voiced their anger over the issue but Duckworth has dismissed their concerns.

The 10-man board will meet on Tuesday to discuss the Warriors' fate but it is understood that Duckworth's club are likely to get the green light despite some reservations over the timescale of events.

"We've got the last piece of the jigsaw in place," said Duckworth.

"There has been an on-going issue with traffic management but we now have the final tick in the box. There can be no issue now.

"There has been a lot of rumour and speculation emanating from one part of the country but everything is in place here at Worcester.

"The auditors are happy, the RFU and England Rugby Ltd are happy and we have it in writing that we are promoted subject to planning permission. We have that now and all the issues have been resolved.

"We will wait now until Tuesday but, as far as I'm concerned, we've satisfied all the criteria."