´óÏó´«Ã½

Worcester Warriors Women have pulled out of this season's league and cup competitions with immediate effect.

The men's team went into administration in September 2022, but the women secured independent funding in January to enable them to carry on.

They finished sixth in Premier 15s after agreeing a sponsorship deal with Cube International in May.

But Cube have decided not to carry on backing the team and they will not fulfil any future fixtures.

"It has been our privilege to support Warriors Women through the last season," said Cube founder Andy Moss.

"Despite our best efforts we have had to make the emotionally challenging decision to withdraw from the league. We have confirmed to players and coaching staff that we will honour their salaries and expenses for September and October."

The Premier 15s competition has been renamed Premiership Women's Rugby for the 2023-24 campaign. It begins on 18 November and will now involve only nine teams.

Worcester had been due to host reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury in their opening league match, having recently won two of their three group games in the Allianz Cup, the most recent a 49-14 victory over Sale last weekend, with Vicky Laflin scoring a hat-trick of tries.

PWR chief executive Belinda Moore said: "We are deeply disappointed for staff, players and fans and applaud the hard work and dedication of those at the club and their supporters who helped Warriors Women to continue.

"The RFU and PWR are working closely with all parties to establish a support fund for staff and players."

Saturday's cup match between Bristol Bears and Worcester has been cancelled and further amendments to the fixture schedule will be announced in due course.

The collapse of Warriors Women means only football teams Worcester Raiders and Worcester City Women will play at Sixways for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.