THE Rugby Football Union "is prepared to have some flexibility" on next week's deadline for Worcester Warriors to compete in the Championship next season.

There had been concerns that Warriors would have to wait another 18 months to return to action as it was revealed the RFU had set a Monday, December 12 deadline for clubs to apply for England's second-tier competition.

But those fears seem to have been somewhat eased after the RFU responded to the Worcester News' request for clarity on the situation.

A statement read: "In order to determine leagues for next season it is important that decisions are made within a suitable timeframe.

"To give certainty to other teams in the Championship and other leagues and allow them to have time for detailed financial planning, we proposed a deadline of 12 December for the transactions to be sufficiently complete and due diligence done such that the new buyers could be considered for approval.

"This was communicated to the administrator in October, and since then all parties have been working to that deadline.

"The RFU is prepared to have some flexibility over the December 12 deadline however, we do require full information to be provided in order that the necessary oversight and scrutiny can take place."