WARRIORS Women will need to reapply for their Tyrrells Premier 15 licence after missing out on an automatic spot following a Rugby Football Union audit.

The audit was carried out last November and ranked all 10 teams in the league from 1-10 based on a combination of the ability to "deliver the competition’s minimum operating standards" and results on the pitch.

The top six automatically retained their league licences with the four others now having to retender.

Warriors did not make the cut so will have to go through the next process to ensure they form part of the league next season.

A selection panel will now review any applications for a place in the league with the four lowest ranked from the Tyrrells Premier 15s automatically being offered the chance to retender.

Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, Firwood Waterloo, Richmond and Warriors were those four teams and they will be joined by any other potential applications from the wider game.

The league will remain a 10-team league so there are four places up for grabs and Warriors are very positive about their chances.

“As owners we are committed in our support of the women's team," Warriors co-owner Jason Whittingham said.

"Jo (Yapp) has done an incredible job since assuming the role as our women’s director of rugby and we are proud of the team that she is building and the progress that she has made.

“We will continue to fully support Jo and her team through the reapplication process and fully expect to be playing in the Women’s Premier 15s next season.”

Since Yapp became boss the team rose up the table from 10th to eighth with impressive wins against Bristol Bears, Firwood Waterloo and Richmond as well as two bonus points gained in defeats to last season's champions Saracens and high-flying Loughborough Lightning.

The audit came at a time where there was much change for the Warriors including plenty of new appointments.

A Warriors statement read: "The changes have included going from one full-time member of staff to six over the last few months and our aim has been to ensure we can support players fully both on and off the field.

"Full-time appointments include team manager Josh Payne, lead coach Sian Moore, strength and conditioning coach Ethan Kinney and head of medical Declan Iles which has resulted in the players receiving the support that is required at this level.

"We also have a great relationship with our academy with Mike Hill stepping in as forwards coach."