TONY Yapp has finally lost patience with Worcester Rugby Club and signed for promotion rivals Exeter Chiefs.

The 24-year-old has been waiting to hear from Worcester's director of rugby John Brain about a new deal but, after two weeks without any word on a contract, the fly-half has decided to plump for the Chiefs.

Yapp's departure leaves Worcester with Craig Chalmers and youngster Jon Higgins as the only two recognised fly-halves at Sixways.

The former England Under 21 star was disappointed to leave Worcester after becoming a crowd favourite at Sixways.

"I'm very disappointed," he said. "I wanted to stay at Worcester and have put off Exeter for two weeks now. But I could not wait any longer because they would have looked elsewhere if I could not commit to them.

"I spoke to John Brain the Friday before the Moseley game and he said he would keep me informed, but I haven't heard anything since.

"My agent told him the situation with Exeter but he has still not got back in touch so in the end, I couldn't leave it any longer."

Yapp has penned a two-year deal at the County Ground and is delighted to finally have the chance to establish himself as a first team regular. After spending the last two seasons at Sixways behind Earl Va'a and then Chalmers in the pecking order, Yapp is determined to be number one at a club.

"That is, of course, what everyone wants and I'm really looking forward to playing week in, week out," he added. "I'll be going there as a full-time player. They have a good set-up and are a top half of the table side so hopefully we can be up there with Worcester next season."

The former Bedford man, however, is wishing the Gold'n'Blues all the best for their promotion push come September.

"I wish them all the best," said Yapp. "I would have loved to have stayed and felt I had done enough to win a contract but it wasn't to be."

Brain was full of praise for Yapp but revealed he was looking at bringing in another half-back.

"We will be recruiting a number 10," he said. "We wish Tony all the best, he has been a good squad player for a number of years at Worcester. He could have waited to see if we would come up with something but he's decided to take the Exeter offer. You cannot blame a player for doing that."