The RFU has set the new owners of Wasps and Worcester Warriors a February 14 deadline to have their respective takeovers fully completed so that they can compete in next year’s Championship.

The pair of ex-Premiership clubs went into administration at the start of the 2022/23 season, resulting in the top flight being reduced from 13 to 11 clubs.

A statement read: “This is a significant extension to the original mid-December timeline to provide the clubs with the best possible chance of being in the Championship next year.

“However, a final deadline must be set to provide certainty to the ...