WORCESTER Warriors have started the recruitment process to replace Roy Davies as director of rugby of the women’s team.

Warriors confirmed Davies is to leave the club by mutual consent but will remain in place until his successor has been appointed.

This announcement from the club comes less than a week after Warriors Women who bolstered their squad over the summer kicked off the new season with a 47-10 defeat at Wasps FC Ladies.

Davies has been in charge of the team, previously known as Worcester Valkyries, since they joined the new Tyrrells Premier 15s competition two years ago.

But Warriors were winless in their first season under Davies and had to wait until the last two matches of last term before they secured their first victories, beating Firwood Waterloo and then Darlington Mowden Park Sharks.

With the RFU implementing new minimum standards – including on-field results - for the existing 10 Tyrrells Premier 15s clubs and prospective new teams seeking admission it is likely that there will be promotion and relegation at the end of this season.

Co-owner Colin Goldring admitted results on the pitch had been “disappointing” and vowed to ensure Warriors remained in the top-flight.

“Roy has worked hard to establish Warriors Women in the Tyrrells Premier 15s league over the last two seasons,” Goldring said.

“We have supported Roy by introducing match fees for players this season, encouraging a more professional approach from the players and helping us to attract high calibre players.

“Historically, our results have been disappointing.

“With the performance of clubs, both on and off the pitch, under increased scrutiny from the RFU we need to ensure that Warriors Women remain a Tyrrells Premier 15s club.

“We thank Roy for his unstinting efforts since he arrived at Sixways and we wish him all the best for his future ventures.”

In Warriors’ statement Davies said he was pleased with his tenure and felt it was a “good time” for someone else to take over the reins.

“I'm happy with the work that has been done over the last two-and-a- bit seasons to ensure that the foundations of the women's section of the club are in a much stronger position than the one I inherited,” Davies said.

“New ownership has brought a new impetus to drive Warriors Women forwards and I believe it is a good time for me to hand the reins over to someone else whilst I seek a new challenge.

“In the immediate future I will be putting all my energy into ensuring that everything is in place to allow my successor to be successful.”

Warriors confirmed they had already started the recruitment process for a new director of rugby by advertising the role.