WARRIORS Women chiefs are celebrating after the Sixways side retained their place in the top flight of English women’s rugby for the next three years.
The club has been invited to join the next three-year league structure of the Tyrrells Premier 15s after league chiefs examined each club during the first half of the 2019/20 season, which was cut short a fortnight ago when the RFU announced the remainder of the campaign had been scrapped because of the Coronavirus outbreak.
Bristol Bears Women, Gloucester-Hartpury Women, Harlequins Women, Loughborough Lightning, Saracens Women and Wasps FC Ladies were the top six ranked teams and invited to join the next three-year league structure.
Warriors Women were among those asked to bid for a place in the competition along with RFU member clubs, universities and colleges who wished to apply.
DMP Durham Sharks, Warriors Women and new faces Exeter Chiefs Women and Sale Sharks were the successful quartet.
Director of rugby Jo Yapp hailed the news and paid tribute to club chiefs for their hard work to retain the club’s place in the Tyrrells Premier 15s.
“We are all so proud of everyone’s efforts and really excited for the future of the women’s team at Sixways.”
Co-owner Jason Whittingham said: “Since Jo’s arrival, she and her team have worked tirelessly to shape and develop our Worcester Warriors Women into something which we can all be proud of.
“The recent success on the pitch ahead of the season being cancelled is a testament to how far they have come in a very short space of time.”
RFU chiefs have also revealed the Tyrrells Premier 15s Development League will no longer take place. Those clubs who wish to run a development team next season are in discussions with the RFU on the most appropriate options available.