The Jo Yapp era gets underway at the Alpas Arena on Saturday where Warriors Women meet Gloucester-Hartpury Women (kick-off 2.30pm).
Although Warriors have started the Tyrrells Premier 15s campaign with four losses, the side’s performances have provided encouragement that Yapp can turn things around.
While the cherry-and-whites do present a challenging test for Yapp’s first game in charge, the new Director of Rugby is eager to get her reign started.
“Gloucester-Hartpury are a really tough opposition for our first outing,” she said.
“They’re doing really well at the minute, they have some England internationals and they’re well established in the league.
“But really it’s a local derby so we’re excited to get down there and play them.
“I’m looking forward to getting going, I’ve been here as a Skills Coach since the summer and there’s some really good stuff been happening so to be able to build on that is really important for me.”
Warriors travel to Darlington Mowden Park Sharks next week in their final game of a gruelling first block of matches, having also had trips to Wasps, Richmond and Saracens in the opening six games.
With the top-flight then having a month’s break for the Autumn Internationals, Yapp sees that interval as an important period to get her ideas across to the squad.
“We’ve got a couple of games and then that November break. It will be good to get focused and get some good training into the girls in that period,” she added.
“November will be a good time for us to really build on what’s there and try new things as well.
“We have to be patient, things aren’t going to come and change overnight, they take a little bit of time.
“But November will come at a good time to also give the girls a little recovery time because they’ve had a long pre-season followed by some tough games.
“So the girls will need a bit of recovery but it’s a great time to get some training into them.”