Worcester’s application to return to professional rugby next season has been rejected by the Rugby Football Union.
But the RFU has approved Wasps’ return next season, with the club set to play in the Championship, provided they adhere to a number of conditions.
Both sides were removed from the Premiership after going into administration in October.
The RFU board had been assessing the applications from bidders aiming to take over the two stricken clubs.
Worcester, whose debts totalled more than £30m when they went under, have been the subject of a bid from former Warriors chief executive Jim O’Toole and his Atlas consortium.
Atlas accused the governing body of trying to impose “onerous operational conditions” on the group as they negotiate a takeover with administrators Begbies Traynor.
The RFU said they had “put forward a number of conditions” for the prospective buyers to meet, including commitments not to dispose of land around their Sixways stadium and the “swift” payment of rugby creditors.
“The bidders, selected by the administrators of the insolvent WRFC Trading Limited, have informed us that they are not prepared to meet these conditions, and therefore the RFU board was unable to approve their application,” it added.
More to follow.