WORCESTER Warriors Women have appointed club legend Jo Yapp as their new full-time director of rugby.

The former England scrum-half and captain recently returned to Sixways as skills coach and has now succeeded Roy Davies.

Yapp, 40, said: “I’m really excited. It was my first senior club as a player, I’ve a huge family involvement at the club, my brother and sister played here.

“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.”

Yapp won 70 caps for England while playing at Worcester and appeared in three World Cups, including as captain in 2006.

She then made a smooth transition into coaching as head coach of Exeter University women and England Under 20s women.

Warriors are in their third season in the Tyrrells Premier 15s but have started the season with four defeats with the latest a 55-3 beating at Saracens on Sunday.

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.

Her husband Alan Hubbleday played Championship rugby for Moseley and Birmingham and Solihull and international youth rugby for England schools and England colts.

“We are delighted that Jo has accepted the role as director of rugby of Warriors Women and we see this as a significant appointment for the club and in particular our continued support of the women’s game, not just at the club but also in the community,” said Warriors co-owner Jason Whittingham.

“Jo was an outstanding role model as a player, both here at Sixways and for England.

"Having enjoyed a successful playing career she has made an excellent start to her career as a coach, leading Exeter to national titles and working with a number of Warriors women players in the England under 20s set-up.

“Everyone we have spoken to has nothing but the highest regard for Jo and that has reinforced our view that 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.”