City 'buzzing' over Warriors Championship return

As Worcester Warriors are set to return to professional rugby, one player says "the buzz" can be felt in the city.

In September 2022, the club were suspended from all competitions over unpaid tax of about £6m. Players and staff had their contracts terminated, resulting in the men's team not competing since.

The City Council said the return of the club to the Championship could contribute about £29.6m to the local economy through tourism and match day activity.

Winger Josh Bassett described the return as something to be celebrated. He said: "People need to really understand how amazing it is that a club has come back in the current climate to allow 40-plus rugby players to come together."

"It's really exciting ,and it's something special, because something like this has happened before - a club coming back from what it's been through to then be able to bring it back to life.

"We've got amongst the community; you've got lads living in Worcester, getting to know the area. It's really special," Bassett added.

Three years on, the new squad had assembled for the first time in preparation of the Championship season where the team's first game will be a Midlands derby at home against Coventry.

Sixways will host Worcester Warriors' first game in three years this October.

Since their return was announced, more than 4,000 season tickets were sold, a record-breaking number of sales, surpassing the club's best year of ticket sales when they were in the Premiership.

"I think rugby is in a very interesting place at the minute with the rebrand of the championship," Bassett said.

"If this league wasn't here, I wouldn't be a professional rugby player.

"There is a buzz in the area, it's such an exciting and positive thing within the English game that needs to be celebrated," Bassett added.

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