SIX weeks after contracts were exchanged between Atlas and Begbies Traynor, there remains no news as to when the takeover at Worcester Warriors will be completed.

On February 2 2023, potential new owners Atlas - directed by Jim O'Toole and James Sandford - were revealed as the successful party to buy Worcester Warriors out of administration by administrators Begbies. 

Atlas have said that news of the completion of the takeover will be done when they have done their "due diligence" and as far as they are concerned, it is a simple case of the Is being dotted and the Ts being crossed.

A 90-day completion period has often been reported but the Worcester News understands there is no such deadline and the deal will be done when all parties are agreed.

One of those parties remains Stourbridge RFC, who are part of Atlas' plans to bring elite-level rugby back to Sixways. The proposal is that the first team at Stourbridge will move to Sixways under the new name of Worcester Warriors.

But that is still to go to a vote between their club members and last week, they released the following statement: "The discussions on the table are aligned with a view to a potential name change and ground migration for the First XV only.

"Talks are continuing between Stourbridge and Atlas whilst our Committee are engaging with the various playing sections to ascertain what financial and infrastructure support would look like to them.

"The priority for Atlas currently is to ensure their due diligence on finalising the purchase of Sixways, however in the meantime a business plan is being discussed between Atlas and our Committee with a view to making a presentation to our members in the coming weeks, to consider if the proposals put forward suit our club and its members."

So with no vote or decision seemingly any closer, questions are beginning to be asked by the increasingly-inpatient fan-base. 

Another party involved in this process is Wasps, who have a "three-year agreement in principle" to come and play their home matches from Sixways for the foreseeable. The proposal there would see Wasps share players with Worcester to enable the Warriors to move up through the leagues as quickly as possible. 

Stourbridge look set to be relegated from the National 2 West division this season and will start in the Midlands 1 from next season.