WORCESTER Warriors chief Alan Solomons believes Sam Vesty’s switch to Northampton Saints is a “great” move as he continues his development as a coach.

After ending his playing career in 2013, Vesty was swiftly handed his first full-time coaching position as part of Warriors’ academy that year.

The ex-Leicester Tigers and Bath was elevated to backs coach in 2015 and has played a key role in not only developing Worcester’s attack but also helping to nurture many of the club’s promising players.

However the 36-year-old will finish his five-year stint at Sixways this summer after agreeing to become Northampton’s attack coach.

Vesty will be replaced at Warriors by former Ulster coach Neil Doak who has signed a two-year contract.

“That’s coaching, people move on,” said Solomons on Vesty’s departure.

“I think Sam will do excellently at Northampton. It will be part of his development as a coach.

“Sam has moved to Northampton which is great for him.

“I really wish him well and Doaky comes in here – that’s just professional coaching.”

Solomons said he was looking forward to working with Doak, admitting they were “pretty much on the same page” already.

Doak worked under Solomons when the veteran coach was boss of Ulster between 2001 and 2004.

“Doaky was my scrum-half when I came to Ulster and he played for me for three years,” Solomons said.

“There were two guys who I thought would end up coaching. They were him and Jonny Bell.

“Jonny is doing really well at Gloucester and Doaky has done really well at Ulster.”

After hanging up his boots in 2005, Doak worked within Ulster’s academy as elite player development manager and headed up the club’s under 19s and under 20s.

Doak was quickly promoted to the senior set-up in 2007 where he took up the role of skills coach and Ulster A head coach and then in 2008 became the province’s attack and backs coach.

After working with Ireland during their summer tour of north America in 2013, the 45-year-old became head coach of Ulster in 2014.

He lead them to consecutive Pro 12 semi-finals in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons before leaving his post last summer.

“He has got depth of experience as a coach going right back to the team I was at Ulster,” Solomons said.

“He has got seven or eight years coaching absolutely top players. Ulster did really well (under Doak) so he is very experienced.

“He has got a good head on his shoulder and played the game at a top level.”

Solomons added: “I had a cup of coffee with him when I was back at home in Northern Ireland.

“I told him there are some really good backs here and I think he is looking forward to the challenge.”