MORE than 20 Worcestershire women are getting a taste of rugby, but without the contact.

They brought in an England international women’s player this week to show them how.

Forty-plus times England rugby cap Tamara Taylor was guest coach for the new Crowle ladies touch team at the village’s playing field in Church Road.

They have attracted women of all ages, many of them mums, from the area to play the open running game.

The team, formed three weeks ago with the help of Worcester Warriors community rugby manager Steve Joslin, who took their first three training sessions.

Joslin arranged for Taylor, who also works for the Sixways club, to run this week’s training.

Fizz Bewley, 48, founder of the ladies’ team, insists the interest in the sport has been overwhelming.

She said: “Rugby is a fabulous game but, for many women, the contact side is off-putting, especially if they have children to care for.

“So touch is ideal — there is no tackling, scrums or line-outs, just passing and outwitting the other side. Ladies have been popping up from all corners of the county who want to have a go and they are coming back for more each week. It is such fun.”

In the long-term, the Crowle team are aiming to join the ladies’ touch league that started 12 months ago and has six teams — Bromyard, Camp Hill, Droitwich, Telford, Wolverhampton and Redditch.

They are looking for sponsors to buy kit for the team and help with the costs of hosting tournaments.

In the meantime, they are happy training each week.

Any woman over the age of 15 can join the team, either by coming along to Crowle playing field on a Thursday at 7.30pm or by calling Bewley on 01905-381080.

The first session is free and thereafter costs £2.