Warriors hold onto Solomons

NEWS: Worcester Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons has committed himself to the club until the end of the 2021/22 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,” said Warriors co-owner Colin Goldring.

“We both support his vision and plan to achieve a sustainable top-flight team with the Three Pears 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.”

📣 BREAKING NEWS 📣

Alan Solomons has extended until 2022.#TheNextChapter

👉 https://t.co/tQfZ9GGabD pic.twitter.com/2T7AW79KXP

— Worcester Warriors ⚔️ (@WorcsWarriors) June 13, 2019

Solomons joined Warriors in October 2017, initially as a consultant, and was appointed Director of Rugby two months later.

Solomons helped Warriors secure their Premiership status in his first season in charge and to a record-equalling nine Premiership wins, a place in the European Challenge Cup quarterfinals and the Premiership Rugby Cup semifinals this season.

“I am 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,” Solomons said.

Solomons, a former lawyer, was head coach of Western Province and the Stormers Super Rugby team and took the Stormers to their first-ever home semifinal 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.

During Solomon’s time in charge of Ulster they won the Celtic Cup in 2003 and in the same year were runners up in the Celtic League. He was voted Northern Ireland Coach/Manager of the Year in 2003.

Solomons was then High Performance Consultant for the International Rugby Board from 2007 to 2010 and in 2009 coached the Southern Kings in their debut match against the British and Irish Lions.

He 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.

Solomons has also been Director of Rugby of USA Eagles and coached Northampton Saints and the Barbarians.