JOHN Brain has hit out at the on-going uncertainty over Worcester's promotion.

The Sixways director of rugby claims that the situation, which has arisen after England Rugby Limited deferred a final decision because of a possible legal challenge by Rotherham, is affecting players' lives.

Brain cites the situation of Pat Sanderson as a classic example.

The flanker, who plays for Harlequins today in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup Final at the Madejski Stadium against Montferrand, has decided to swap the Stoop for Sixways next season but he is now left in the dark as to whether he will be playing for a Premiership or National One club.

"His life has been left in turmoil really," said Brain. "He's been picked to play for England sevens and then in Canada plus he has to move his pregnant wife down to Worcester although, at present, he doesn't know our situation over promotion.

"He's made a decision to come to Worcester and now he's left with all this uncertainty. I feel sorry for the players because we are talking about people's lives and livelihoods.

"We seem to have this situation regarding promotion every year now and it's become farcical.

"All you ask as a National One club is that you know - on the day that you win the title - that you will be promoted."

Meanwhile, Worcester have re-assured supporters that debenture or season ticket monies will not be cashed until ERL make a decision over promotion.

Many supporters, who had paid up to £1,500 for a three-year debenture ticket, were concerned that their cheques would be cashed before the uncertainty was cleared up. However, chairman Cecil Duckworth has moved to ease those fears.

Hold

"Nothing will be done before we have a decision," he said. "Everything in that sense is on hold at the moment.

"I've said all along that I don't envisage a problem. We have the planning permission in place for the relevant capacity and, even before March 31, (ERL's deadline for entry criteria) we were covered because we have unlimited capacity in place at Sixways.

"We've shown that in the past when we've hosted games against Rotherham and before that with the National Divisions side against the South Africans.

"Rotherham's legal challenge has held us up a little but we will overcome that next week.

"People say we've missed the deadline for planning permission but, before we changed the design of the new East Stand, we already were covered. From any angle you look at it, there isn't a problem."