WARRIORS Women legend Jo Yapp has revealed her delight at being named the new director of rugby of the Sixways outfit.
Yapp, a former England scrum-half and captain, recently returned to the club as skills coach and has now succeeded Roy Davies as Warriors Women director of rugby with immediate effect.
During an illustrious playing career Yapp won 70 caps while she was at Worcester and appeared in three World Cups, captaining England in the third of them in 2006.
Since retiring, Yapp has enjoyed spells as head coach of Exeter University Women and England Under-20s Women but will now focus on reviving the fortunes of the struggling Tyrrells Premier 15s league side.
“I’m really excited. It was my first senior club as a player, I’ve a huge family involvement at the club as my brother and sister played here,” Yapp said.
“My dad and husband both coached here so Worcester means a lot to me and to come back as a coach, I’m just really excited.
“There are a lot of familiar faces here so to have those relationships with players already is a real positive.
“Currently the average age of the squad is pretty young, which makes them a really exciting squad to work with,” she said.
Yapp comes from a strong rugby family in Shropshire as her father Roddy Yapp is a well-known coach and her brother Tony played for Warriors and Exeter Chiefs before moving into coaching with Taunton.
Yapp’s husband Alan Hubbleday played Championship rugby for Moseley and Birmingham & Solihull and international youth rugby for England Schools and England Colts.
Warriors co-owner Jason Whittingham said: “Jo was an outstanding role model as a player, both here at Sixways and for England.
“Everyone we have spoken to has nothing but the highest regard for Jo and that has reinforced our view she is the right person to make Warriors Women a force in the Tyrrells Premier 15s.
“Jo has family roots in the region, she played her club rugby at Sixways and we are delighted to see Warriors like Jo and Graham Kitchener returning to the club,” he added.
Yapp’s first game in charge will see her Warriors travel to the Alpas Arena to face Hartpury Sport on Saturday (2.30pm).
Warriors remain bottom of the Tyrells Premier 15s without a win in their opening three games after Saturday’s 55-3 reverse to reigning champions Saracens.