Pertemps Bees, the team the Tigers pipped to fourteenth spot and ND1 survival, have appealed against FDR’s decision to dock Cornish Pirates three points following the meeting between the two clubs on January 5, when Pirates won 27-23, but played part of the game with uncontested scrums after having insufficient front row cover.

Bees claim the decision to punish Pirates rather than reward them goes against precedent and told FDR they should be awarded all four match points and the scoreline set at 0-0, as was the case when Coventry committed a similar offence against Rotherham a few seasons ago.

After FDR turned down Bees’ appeal the club hired a QC to argue its point with the RFU and it in turn ordered FDR to review the matter again, with the findings due to have been decided this week. However, the matter threatens to drag on.

If FDR sticks with its original decision the Tigers will play in ND1; if it changes its mind and awards Bees the points the Tigers could be relegated.

Tigers’ team manager, Geoff Roberts said: “We haven’t spoken out on this matter up to now because we are just innocent bystanders – the matter is between Pertemps Bees and the league, not Sedgley Park.

“However, we may be asked to submit our views on the matter and one thing is for sure, if things go against us we will not take it sitting down.

“In the meantime we will continue recruiting for the new season and we fully anticipate kicking off against Rotherham at Park Lane on Saturday, August 30.

On a positive note five more players have been re-signed: props Phil Gazzola and Alistair Livesey; back-five forward Dave Livesey; hooker Gareth Roberts, half-back Chris Wilkinson and player-coach Tim Fourie.