WARRIORS chief Alan Solomons has labelled the current Premiership campaign as one of the toughest leagues he has been involved in as the Sixways side get set for a return to league action with a trip to Bath.
Saturday’s (3pm) clash in the West Country will bring to an end a five-week run of cup action for the Warriors who notched up four wins before a defeat to high-flying Saracens in the Premiership Rugby Cup on Sunday.
Solomons revealed his thoughts on the current league campaign and said his views were shared by a number of his counterparts.
“Chatting to other directors of rugby who have been around a long time, they say it’s the toughest Premiership they have ever been involved in,” he said.
“Every team has good quality players, they are well coached and well prepared.”
The Warriors boss will be unable to call on Ted Hill, Nick Schonert and Ben Te’o who have all been included England’s squad for Saturday’s Quilter International against Japan
“It’s fantastic to see our players get recognition. Ted was invited to the recent training camp in Portugal because he’s a terrific young player and he will adjust and adapt if he is picked to play on Saturday,” said Solomons.
“Nick is a terrific scrummager but he has worked very hard on his all-round game.”
Warriors will be bidding to continue their rapid upturn in form in recent weeks which has seen them notch five wins in their last six games including victories at Stade Francais Paris and Leicester Tigers.
“Bath are a tough team to beat at home so we are expecting a hard game. Like all clubs, when you are playing at home they won’t want anyone to lower their colours,” the Warriors chief said.
Worcester fell to their first defeat in the Premiership Rugby Cup as a youthful Warriors side fell 34-22 at Allianz Park but Solomons praised the young guns for their efforts.
“They did well and came away with a bonus point which could have been two. They showed good resolve and resilience,” he said.
“Players like James Scott, Beck Cutting and Nick David got game time and acquitted themselves well. It was good to see a lot of the other players down at Saracens supporting the team.”
New signing Michael Fatialofa will not be rushed into a Warriors jersey after his Super Rugby and Mitre 10 Cup season down under.
Solomons confirmed Ryan Bower and Zac Xiourouppa suffered season-ending Achillies tendon and anterior cruciate ligament knee injury at Saracens while Andrew Kitchener was concussed during the clash and will be assessed before being cleared to resume training.
Marco Mama is still struggling with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to play at Bath but Ryan Mills has trained this week and is available for selection, as is Pierce Phillips.