DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons spoke of the urgent need to fix Worcester Warriors’ ailing set-piece after it was “fractured” by Bath in a 28-13 defeat at The Rec.

Warriors’ lost six of their 12 lineouts and were penalised several times at the scrum on a frustrating afternoon as Bath took control of the Premiership contest.

Solomons admitted his side’s difficulties in the set-piece created a “domino effect” as Bath soon turned pressure into points with tries from Semesa Rokoduguni, Tom Ellis and Elliott Stooke securing the victory.

“We simply had no field position, no possession and spent the afternoon just tackling as we were on the back foot,” Solomons said.

“Our set-piece was fractured. Our lineout really struggled, losing six lineouts and we struggled in the scrums as well.

“Then you add into the mix the turnovers and our penalty count which were in double figures.

“We didn’t have the ball so we spent the entire game virtually inside our half defending.”

Ryan Mills scored Warriors’ only try that came in the first half while Duncan Weir landed two penalties and a conversion.

Solomons praised his team for refusing to throw in the towel and felt their defensive effort was a “positive” but had no complaints with the result.

“You have got to give credit to your opposition,” Solomons said.

“Bath thoroughly deserved the win and the score-line was a fair reflection of the day’s play.

“We came out and didn’t play particularly well – that’s rugby. But full marks to Bath.

“We had a problem with our set-piece and that had a domino effort but you can’t discount the penalties and turnovers.

“If you have got no ball and no territory you have got a problem.”

Warriors now have a six-day turnaround before tacking Harlequins at Sixways on Friday (7.45pm) and Solomons is determined to rectify his team’s issues.

“We have got a massive amount to work on and we have got a short turnaround this week,” Solomons said.

“There are no easy games so we need to get our set-piece right and do that immediately.

“We have got to make sure that our recovery is good and we get in our training during the week.

“Obviously we are one short but everybody in this competition ends up having a six-day turnaround.

“We have just got to get up, dust ourselves off and get on with it.

“Our line-out can be better and we just need to keep working on it and we will get it right.”

Powerful lock Michael Fatialofa has started training with Warriors after making the move from New Zealand but has yet to make his debut.

Asked whether Fatialofa could help Worcester’s set-piece, Solomons added: “I am sure that Michael will add in but players in the past have done well in the lineout during the course of this season.

“But we have had games where it has not operated well.

“Saturday was a day where the lineout was poor but our scrum was poor as well.”

Director of rugby Todd Blackadder was delighted to end Bath's seven-match winless streak in all competitions.

"I feel really good," Blackadder said.

"We were under a little bit of pressure leading into this weekend as it was a massive game for us.

"We really wanted to get a win as we want to be a top-four team.

"The pressure showed early on as we were a little bit rusty but as the game went on we built into that performance and created some good opportunities.

"It was a decisive step in the right direction."