DIRECTOR of rugby Gary Gold hailed “X-factor” scrum-half Francois Hougaard after Worcester Warriors’ crucial  41-24 demolition of relegation rivals Bristol.

The South African livewire stole the show with a stunning try and an assist for Bryce Heem as Warriors opened up a precious seven-point cushion over Bristol at the bottom of the Premiership table.

Warriors’ fans had been waiting for Hougaard to repeat last season’s heroics on his return from injury.

And he delivered in Worcester’s biggest game of the campaign in front of a 11,499-capacity crowd at Sixways.

The victory avenged Warriors’ dismal 28-20 defeat at Bristol on Boxing Day.

“Hougaard was outstanding but he will be the first to admit he had a great platform set by the pack after the destruction of the Bristol scrum in the early part of the game,” said Gold.

“There was also the quality of our drive and I think the Bristol pack were nervous of our pack.

“There were two errors (from Bristol) and Hougaard took full advantage of that. He is an X-factor player and genuinely world-class and we are very lucky to have him.

“It’s amazing with world-class players that the bigger the stage the better they play.”

While Hougaard was the overwhelming man of the match the ferocious physicality of Worcester’s pack in the early stages set the tone.

The front row of Val Rapava Ruskin, Joe Taufete’e and Nick Schonert won their set-piece battle.

Will Spencer and skipper Donncha O’Callaghan added further grunt in the second row, while number eight Marco Mama was abrasive.

Warriors had the match sewn up before the interval after romping into a 31-10 lead.

“By and large the guys were very good,” said Gold.

“Obviously Bryce got a yellow card for a silly tackle but I would put that down to a bit of overeagerness.

“Maybe all these guys really needed was a bit of belief because they are a good team.

“We didn’t go into breakdowns we shouldn’t have gone into. It was a pleasing day.”

Gold was “really happy” with the performance but admitted it got a bit tense towards the end.

With the result in the bag for the hosts Bristol grabbed a third try out of the blue.

With Warriors on the attack Tom Varndell intercepted Ryan Mills’ pass to race from deep inside him own half to score under the posts.

It gave Bristol a sniff of try-scoring and losing bonus points with just seven minutes left.

“It was important we kept our heads,” said Gold.

“A fourth try for them could have got them within seven points of us.

“Had Bristol picked up two points it would have been a bit of a bitter-sweet day in the context of where we are in the table.

“Except for the interception try our defence was very good.”

Warriors had the final say with a sixth try from Wynand Olivier who raced on to Mills’ long kick ahead to touch down.

Warriors return to Premiership action at Wasps on March 26 (2.30pm) and Gold insists the relegation battle is far from settled.

He says “anything can happen” with five matches remaining.

“Bristol were very competitive and difficult at the breakdown and their tackling ferocity was very good,” said Gold.

“I don’t think they will roll over. They will be difficult at Ashton Gate, especially against Gloucester, and they could get a couple of away wins.

“Anything can happen. We have got five games to go and have to pick up a couple more wins.”