ENGLAND Skipper Joanne Yapp is gunning for glory as she jets out for Hong Kong today.

The Worcester Rugby Club scrum-half flies out with club-mate Nicky Crawford as part of the England Stormers squad bound for the showpiece sevens tournament which starts on Thursday.

And Yapp is thought of so highly that she has been made skipper of her country at the tender age of 21.

"It's a great honour," said the Sixways star who played in the tournament two years ago.

She added: "It's a completely separate appointment to the full England side but it is fantastic to be given the honour. I was quite shocked because I'm the youngest player in the squad!

"I'm the captain of Worcester but I think long-term this will help my confidence and also help to develop my game.

"Last time we went out there we reached the semi-finals so we are hoping to improve on that this time around."

She added: "The coach has said he sees me as a prospect for the future and wants to develop me for a potential full England captain in a few years time. It is great to be given such a vote of confidence."

Yapp is seen by coach Rob Drinkwater as an outstanding prospect and this tournament will be seen as vital experience for her.

However, he is well aware that England face the toughest of tests if they are to return home with the trophy next week.

England face Australia and the United States in their pool and will probably have to beat one of the tournament favourites to claim a semi-final spot on Friday.

However, Drinkwater is confident his side will go well in the tournament.

He said: "There are no doubts that from the players whom made themselves available, we are sending a full-strength squad. Current England XV players such as Nicky Crawford and Jo Yapp will be joined by previous sevens stars on the edge of full England selection.

"Add to this list two players who are quite possibly two of the most exciting athletes to appear this season in Lizzie Crab and Eilidh Smith and there's no holding this team back."

Yapp is certainly on the crest of a wave after the captaincy was announced but she admitted she will have to get used to giving out instructions as skipper.

She said: "I think on the field it is easy to talk to the players and get involved in the match - it's the off the field stuff I will have a problem with.

"There are a lot of experienced players in the squad and to stand there and talk through the game will be quite intimidating at first.

"I think that will be the biggest challenge!"

Yapp will be helped through the trip by Crawford who also played in the sevens tournament two years ago.

The winger has been in outstanding form for the full side this season and goes to Hong Kong as one of the potential stars of the event.

And Yapp is delighted her friend will be alongside her.

She said: "It's great to have her with me because we've toured together before. She is a great player and is really looking forward to it.

"I'm glad I will have Nicky out there with me because it also makes a difference to have someone there that you know."

The two Worcester stars have been boosted ahead of their trip with a £500 donation from the 100 club. The club's monthly raffle society raised the cash because the trip is self-funded.

Denis Moughan, 100 club organiser, said: "It is a massive achievement for Nicky and Jo to make the trip to Hong Kong and we were happy to assist them."