Worcester Warriors boss Jo Yapp is backing long-awaited pre-season perfection to propel them towards the Allianz Premier 15s big time.

Warriors endured a turbulent campaign last season and are preparing to do battle with fellow strugglers Sale Sharks in Saturday’s opener. 

The West Midlands outfit finished seventh last term but have been buoyed by enjoying a relatively smooth off-season as lockdown restrictions ease.

Warriors kick-off their campaign at Heywood Road on Saturday lunchtime and Yapp, 41, said: “Pre-season has gone really well it was great to have a proper pre-season, because last year was really tough with Covid-19 restrictions.

“So to have all the girls in and actually have a pre-season with everybody was great. 

“It's brilliant to have the full preseason because just having the squad together and getting that unity within the squad is huge. 

“Last year was in out and we didn't get that opportunity for them to really bond and come together, and that's really important for us. So it's great for them to do that and spend a bit more time with each other. 

“There have been areas that we focused on in pre-season, definitely, and we've had a few new recruits join us to add a little bit of depth to our squad.

“In terms of that No.10 position, we will be needing some more depth there which we've got in other key positions. I’m excited to see how the girls can perform.”

The Allianz Premier 15s is the elite women’s domestic rugby union competition in England and having been won by high-flying Harlequins last season, continues to grow year on year.

The Premier 15s will once again be played over 18 rounds, culminating with play-offs (21 May 2022) and a title final (4 June 2022, venue TBC).  

With no promotion or relegation, there are no changes to the 10 teams within England’s top-flight of women’s domestic rugby, operating in a league format with home and away fixtures. 

Warriors won just five of their 18 fixtures last season and finished a whole 32 points away from Loughborough Lightning in the final play-off position.

The standard of the domestic league continues to sky-rocket and Yapp wants her side to crash the top four party.

She added: “I think last year the results showed just how competitive the league was. 

“There were a lot more upsets, it wasn’t dominated by a couple of teams – which is brilliant for the league and I think that will continue. 

“We definitely want to be up there as one of the teams who are competing and taking on anybody that we come up against.”

The Allianz Premier 15s is the top-flight women’s domestic rugby union competition in England. For all the latest news from the Allianz Premier 15s, you can follow @Premier15s on Twitter and Instagram. You can also watch live action on Premier15s.com throughout the 2021/22 campaign.