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Extended deal highlights how Worcester can't get enough of the wisdom of Solomons
By Online Editors
Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons has committed himself to the club until the end of the 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership season. Solomons’ existing contract expires at the end of next season, but he has now signed a two-year extension.
“Jason Whittingham and I both think Alan has done a great job of managing the team and rugby department since starting at Warriors,” explained Warriors co-owner Colin Goldring.
“We both support his vision and plan to achieve a sustainable top flight team with the Warriors academy at its core, supported by top-class talented and experienced players. We are delighted that Alan has signed his contract extension which ensures continuity and stability.”
Solomons joined Warriors in October 2017 as a consultant, but he was appointed director of rugby two months later. The South African helped Warriors secure their Premiership status in his first season in charge, before leading them to a record-equalling nine Premiership wins, a place in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals and the Premiership Rugby Cup semi-finals this season.
“I’m honoured to be afforded the privilege of being part of Warriors’ continuing journey and look forward to working with Colin and Jason and all concerned to realise our vision for the club,” he said.
A former lawyer, Solomons was head coach of Western Province and the Stormers Super Rugby team, taking the Stormers to their first-ever home semi-final in 1999. He was also part of South Africa’s coaching team that guided the Springboks to a record-equalling 17 consecutive Test wins and finished third in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
Solomons won a Celtic Cup and finished a Celtic League runner-up during a three-year stint at Ulster. Following a brief period at Northampton, he was then a high performance consultant for the International Rugby Board from 2007 to 2010. In 2009 he also coached the Southern Kings in their debut match against the British and Irish Lions.
He next coached the Eastern Province Kings to three successive Division One finals, lifting the trophy in 2010 and 2012 before taking the Southern Kings into Super Rugby in 2013.
Solomons then coached Edinburgh, taking them to a first-ever European Challenge Cup final and winning back-to-back 1872 Cups against Glasgow.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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