CECIL Duckworth has revealed that Worcester could go semi-professional if the Rugby Football Union drops automatic promotion to the Premiership.

The Sixways chairman is still waiting to see just which division the Warriors will be playing in next season and, if it is to be National One, exactly what for.

However, he has admitted that if the RFU imposes a play-off system between the National One champions of 2003-04 and the Premiership's bottom side, Worcester may look at taking a longer-term approach.

"If it is a play-off then there is a possibility that we could go semi-professional. We may have to take a longer term view and wait until some more of our academy players come through the system.

"We don't know where we will be playing next season or what we will be playing for," he added. "However, if we are in National One next season then a play-off would be no use whatsoever. The chances of a National One club beating a Premiership one in a play-off are very slim indeed.

"It happened a few years ago when Rotherham beat Bedford but, what you have to remember, is that Bedford had had their funding cut and were in decline."

Worcester again finished National One runners-up this season, leading to questions over Duckworth's future role. But the multi-millionaire has calmed supporters' fears about his long-term commitment.

"I am not going to abandon ship," he said. "We have to wait and see what will happen about next season but I will be staying on."

Worcester were nowhere nearer finding out their immediate future this morning.

The RFU was expected this week to announce the results of an independent inquiry into alleged financial misconduct by National One champions Rotherham, who are alleged to have taken payments from Premiership clubs in return for agreeing to stay in National One rather than being promoted.

If found guilty by the inquiry, Rotherham could be docked points, which would make Worcester champions. However, fresh evidence handed to the inquiry this week is likely to delay the results for at least a fortnight.

"You can't argue with the delay because the inquiry is very thorough," added Duckworth. "If new evidence is presented then it has to be looked at very carefully."