BOSS Alan Solomons refused to be drawn into the debate over whether the Aviva Premiership should be ring-fenced as he focuses on retaining Worcester Warriors’ top-flight status.

Worcester have spent many years battling to avoid the drop and face another fight for survival with bottom club London Irish this season.

But according to a report in The Times automatic promotion and relegation could come to an end as soon as next year.

And a two-legged play-off between the Premiership’s basement side and the Championship winners could be introduced to decide who plays in England’s top-tier for the next five years.

The move could have a huge impact on Warriors who were demoted in 2010 and 2014 only to come up the following campaign.

However, with the Sixways side yet to secure their place in the Premiership for next season Solomons said he was only concentrating on the “here and now”.

“I have not even thought about it to be honest,” said Solomons on the reported plans.

“I heard something about it but I have seen it before.

“My focus is solely on the team and the next game.

“I just deal with the here and now and that is there is promotion and relegation.

“The team that comes last goes down and the team that finishes top goes up.

“That’s all I am focused on.”

Bristol look poised to gain promotion from the Championship after losing just one of their 19 matches and have invested heavily in their squad for next season.

Warriors have also looked to strengthen their team with nine new players set to arrive for the 2018-19 campaign.

But Solomons insisted his side, who are on a three-match losing streak, cannot look beyond their final four games as Irish continue to close the gap.

Ten points separate Warriors and the Exiles and Solomons is looking for a “vastly-improved” performance from his men after crashing to a 58-25 loss at Sale Sharks last weekend.

Next Saturday sees Worcester host in-form Newcastle Falcons and Irish visit ninth-placed Harlequins (both 3pm).

“I have said from the beginning that it is not over until it is over — and it is not over by any stretch of the imagination,” Solomons said.

“We know what the situation is and we have got to have an improvement at home. It is as simple as that.”

Solomons added: “Sale are a top six team. Faf de Klerk is playing absolutely outstanding rugby and is the fulcrum of that side.

“They have always been difficult at their home ground but we played really poorly.

“I spoke to (Sale player) Mark Jones who I have coached before and he just said to me that it was one of those days where everything went right for them.

“But they thoroughly deserved that victory.”