WORCESTER Warriors Women's director of rugby, Jo Yapp, has won a prestigious national award.

Yapp was crowned Women's Sports Alliance 'Coach of the Year' on Tuesday following a record breaking number of votes across all candidates.

Yapp beat the likes of the Lionesses' head coach, Sarina Wiegman, to the award, which was voted for by the public.

It caps off what has been a very turbulent but also hopeful couple of months for the women's team at Worcester.

Having gone through the agony of seeing the rugby club go into administration, the women's team was saved by some temporary funding to keep them running.

On the pitch, they started the season in brilliant fashion with away wins at Harlequins and Exeter and put 50 points on Wasps at the weekend.

But that was overshadowed by the RFU's decision to not include the Warriors in the Allianz Premier 15s competition for next season.

Eight teams were confirmed for 2023/24 but two places remain up for grabs via an application process, that Yapp confirmed at the weekend they would be proceeding with when it becomes open.

"We have spoken to the players, we will not roll over," she said after the 50-0 win at Wasps.

"Yes we haven't been successful but there are two more places left in this league and we really want to fight for that.

"On the field, we will keep concentrating and improving week on week with performances."