Warriors Women have strengthened their forward artillery with the arrivals of Philippa Rawbone and Charlotte Wright Hayley.
Rawbone, 26, and Wright Hayley, 20, make the switch to Sixways having already tasted Premier 15s rugby with Darlington Mowden Park and Bristol Ladies respectively and will complement a pack which includes the likes of England international Jo Brown and Amelia Buckland Hurry.
“I really appreciate the opportunity that Jo Yapp and the coaching team have given me to play at this level,” said Rawbone, who began her rugby career at Durham University.
“I’m looking forward to challenging myself this season in a more competitive environment and I want to make the most of an impressive set-up at Worcester.”
Wright Hayley, who was part of the England Talent Development Group prior to being selected for the England Under-18s sevens squad, added: “I’m extremely excited for this new opportunity and it gives me the opportunity to push myself against some world class players.
“Everyone at Worcester Warriors has been so welcoming and I feel as though I’ve learnt so much already in the short time I’ve been here and I’m really looking forward to the season ahead.”
Rawbone was a cornerstone of the Durham University side for three seasons, plying her trade in the competitive BUCS Premiership, with her impressive form earning her the chance to showcase her ability at DMP Sharks.
After graduating with a BSc Geology (Hons) as well as achieving a Distinction for her MSc Risk and Environmental Hazards course, Rawbone turned out for her hometown team Old Leamingtonians for a season, before joining Championship club Lichfield.
Rawbone spent three seasons with Lichfield, in which time she was awarded successive Coaches First Team Player of the Season awards in 2018 and 2019 and more recently last season’s Players’ Player of the Season accolade.
Since 2017, the versatile forward has been an integral part of the Warwickshire County side and captained them during the 2017/18 campaign.
Fellow newbie Wright Hayley started playing rugby aged 12, featuring for Wincombe RFC where she earned a place in the Somerset County squad and was named in the England Talent Development Group.
Earning a call-up to the England Under-18s sevens squad in 2017, Wright Hayley was part of the side that won the European Championship in France with Bristol Ladies snapping her up soon after.
Set to embark on a degree in Sports Psychology at the University of Worcester, Wright Hayley recently qualified as a Level 3 Personal Trainer and was an elite trampolinist from the age of four to 18, achieving national level standard.
Delighted to welcome the talented duo to Sixways, Academy Transition and Warriors Women Forwards Coach Mike Hill said: “Philippa has shown her quality in the Championship and when she turned up to the trials we saw the athletic potential that she has.
“She is clearly hungry to improve her game and will compete hard within the squad – I’m sure she will learn a lot from the senior players in the back-row.
“Charlotte was a real standout player in the development games that she played, and she is a very competitive player who is quick into the breakdowns and this is an aspect of her game that we are interested in seeing.
“The back-row is certainly an area of strength for us going forward, but I know this won’t faze Charlotte.”