WOMEN’S rugby will come under the Worcester Warriors ‘brand’ next season after deciding to ditch the Valkyries name.

The team will become Worcester Warriors Women for the 2019-20 Tyrrells Premier 15s campaign after the move was approved by the RFU’s Governance Committee.

Worcester Ladies who won the Premiership title in 2013 joined up with Warriors in 2016 and were renamed Valkyries.

But Roy Davies’ side have struggled in recent seasons and ended a 35-match winless streak in the league in March.

Warriors’ co-owner Jason Whittingham said the name change helped to “create a one-club brand and ethos” at Sixways.

“Renaming the women’s team is just the beginning of a new phase whereby we, as owners, will ensure that we are committed to supporting and developing Warriors Women,” Whittingham said.

“We are currently finalising our strategy to deliver an environment for our team that will be fully integrated and supported with a singular approach to all aspects of the coaching, training and development.

“The name change to Worcester Warriors Women is a positive move for the team and, in the words of Lark Davies, our England hooker, it now shows that we are integrating the women and the men to create a one-club brand and ethos.”