WORCESTER Rugby Club benefactor Cecil Duckworth has warned the Rugby Football Union of a hidden agenda to the Premiership's push to end automatic promotion.

Duckworth believes if top English clubs get their way in denying First Division clubs promotion then they will go ahead to create a new British Super League within the next few years.

Premiership clubs, the RFU and Division One sides are deadlocked at present over whether there should be promotion to the top league next season. All 12 Premiership sides want the RFU to implement Rob Andrew's plan, which includes a play-off spot for the top Division One side, rather than automatic promotion.

The arguments have raged throughout the summer and an application to the Office of Fair Trading was made last week by Division One clubs. However, after the Premiership's breakaway threat on Friday, Duckworth believes there is a different issue lurking in the background.

"There has to be a hidden agenda because why are the clubs making such a fuss over the promotion and relegation issue?" Duckworth said. "I think they are looking at a new league with Welsh and Scottish clubs but that would have a detrimental effect on the game as a whole.

"If you take the top clubs out of Wales and Scotland then it will ruin club rugby in those countries."

The Premiership clubs threat to breakaway was described as an empty one by Sixways chief executive Geoff Cooke last Friday, sentiments backed up by Duckworth.

He said: "I was amazed when I heard it because I could not see where they could go without the RFU. I don't think it will ever happen because it just won't work."

Top clubs have extended their first deadline from noon on Monday to tomorrow for the RFU to come back with some concrete proposals.