RICHARD Nias has been ruled out of Worcester Rugby Club's title showdown at Rotherham tomorrow.

The flanker took a blow to his neck during the weekend win over Wakefield before being stretchered off the field.

Despite making good progress this week, Nias was not fit enough to travel with the Warriors squad today.

Coaches John Brain and Andy Keast are more hopeful over Richard Bates' shoulder problem, picked up in the Wakefield clash, and will give him a fitness test later today to see whether he can take contact on the injury.

Worcester's other injury worry, David Officer, looks to be losing his fitness battle after an ankle problem. The centre was able to put more weight on the ankle yesterday but was rated more doubtful than Bates.

"David is progressing every day," said director of rugby Brain. "It's just a question of whether the game has come too early for him. Richard's shoulder has also improved during the week.

"We've had the injury scanned and it's nothing serious, just a strain, so we are hopeful at the moment."