ROTHERHAM Rugby Club are confident of victory in their High Court case against the game's ruling bodies.

But whether they will get a last minute promotion will depend on the judge's ruling.

The case between Rotherham and English First Division Rugby is due to start on Monday.

Rotherham are contesting the reduction of Premiership One from 14 to 12 clubs on behalf of the Premiership Two clubs. They claim the merger of London Scottish, London Irish and Richmond has led to the Mayfair Agreement being broken without 12 months notice being given.

If the RFU lose both Rotherham and Worcester could be promoted leaving the fixture list in absolute chaos.

"We're very hopeful of winning the case but what the judge will do afterwards is anybody's guess," said Chris Middleton of Rotherham solicitors Atley, Dibb and Clegg. "He might say there has to be 14 clubs in the top division and come back in a week when you've sorted it out."

Rotherham's plight has full backing from Worcester's millionaire backer Cecil Duckworth.