THE gateway to international stardom -- that's Worcester Rugby Club.

And when it comes to top honours it's the talented Sixways ladies who are leading the way.

The club can boast a number of internationals and more could soon be joining their ranks.

Sixways Press officer Nicky Goodwin said: "We are at our highest international profile, but I think we can go a lot further.

"Coaches Eric Field and Niall Crawford feel some of the Worcester girls are perhaps being overlooked because we are seen as quite new in terms of international experience."

The impact Worcester ladies are having on the international scene was highlighted last weekend when a number were on duty.

Scrum half and captain Joanne Yapp together with wing Nicky Crawford helped England to their third Five Nations victory of the current campaign with a 51-0 victory over Wales at Newbury. Crawford ran in two tries for England while Worcester fly-half Claire Williams was playing for the opposition.

Worcester prop Liz Allsopp was in action for Scotland while Goodwin, second row Alex Pilkington, centre Clare Clarke and fly-half Karen Andrew helped England A to a 44-12 victory over Wales A.

Goodwin added: "We are still seen as one of the junior clubs which we find a little irritating at times. We have come a long way you can't hide that.

"Obviously, the big clubs like Saracens, Richmonds and Clifton do dominate the English scene, but we have got a lot of internationals.

"What is really promising for us is that in the Midlands u18s group we sent 11 girls up for trials and all of them got in."

n All three of Worcester's ladies sides are in action at Sixways tomorrow, the 1sts against Wasps (2.30pm), the 2nds against Old Leamingtonians 2nds while the u16s play host to Melton Mowbray.