HEAD coach Carl Hogg says he learned a “huge amount” from his tough spell in charge of Worcester Warriors.

The former Scotland international admits there were “a number of mitigating factors” during his time in the Sixways hot-seat.

Hogg was initially elevated to a dual leadership role last summer with high performance director Nick Johnston after director of rugby Dean Ryan quit Warriors unexpectedly.

However, after a poor run of results, Hogg was given sole responsibility of first-team affairs and brought in former Warriors forwards coach Phil Davies as a consultant.

But with Warriors in an Aviva Premiership relegation dog-fight and just one point above the drop zone, the club appointed Gary Gold as director of rugby at the end of January.

Reflecting on the start of the campaign, Hogg said: “It was a difficult period of time.

“It was well documented about the number of injuries we had and the number of young players who stepped up to the plate.

“It was a tough time but the injured players coming back and the influence of Gary and Edward Griffiths behind the scenes had a positive effect.

“I think there were a number of mitigating factors but that’s not something I necessarily want to focus on because of the momentum we are starting to build as a club.”

Warriors recorded just two Premiership wins and drew with Gloucester and Sale Sharks in Hogg’s 13-match stint in charge.

“It’s something I learned a huge amount from,” said Hogg, who remains as head coach at Sixways next term.

“I have been in and around the Premiership for 11 or 12 years and in the first six months (of the season) I learned a huge amount about managing an environment and managing a club.

“It’s an experience I am better off for.

"But I am delighted that, as a club, we were able to turn it around.

"With Gary at the club, we are starting to point in the right direction.”

Gold, who turns 50 on July 6, steered Warriors to three league wins in his nine-match spell at the helm.

They eventually finished 13 points above relegated Bristol, who will be replaced by promoted London Irish.

Warriors also collected bonus points from losses to Exeter Chiefs, Wasps (2), Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers.

Gold was South Africa's assistant coach between 2008 and 2011 and had previous Premiership experience as at London Irish and Bath.

He has signed a new deal with Warriors for at least next season.

Hogg said: “The long-term aim of the club is to build a strong foundation with a strong, solid culture that could take us places and move us up the league.

“Gary’s influence had a huge effect on the group and we had a number of significant players returning from injury.

“It will be interesting to see the amount of points we picked up with Francois Hougaard playing.

“Francois is obviously a hugely influential player for us and we had very positive performances on the back of Francois’ influence.”