DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons reckons “big man” Justin Clegg will pack a punch for Worcester Warriors next season.

The 22-year-old lock graduated from Warriors’ academy last summer only to spend most of his first season in the senior squad on the sidelines.

The former England U20 international came off the bench in Worcester’s memorable 38-27 victory over Stade Francais in Paris last October.

But a stress fracture to his back meant he was unable to add to his solitary outing.

Solomons said Clegg had overcome his injury issue and was looking forward to seeing him in action when the season gets underway.

“He had a stress fracture of his back,” Solomons said.

“But he has done a lot of running on that field and has recovered.

“He is 120kg so he is a big unit and is going to be a good player.

“We have just got to make sure that we are doing all the right things to get him on that pitch playing.

“We have also got to be fair to him.

“He was at university doing a history degree and didn’t real play last season so this will be his first season in professional rugby.

“But I am very positive about him. He is a bright young boy and is a big man.”

Clegg will be among five first-team players competing for a place in Warriors’ second row in the 2019-20 Gallagher Premiership campaign. Pierce Phillips, 26, and Darren Barry, 29, departed Worcester this summer to join French club Agen and Championship outfit Newcastle Falcons respectively.

But Solomons is adamant Warriors will be “well served” with locks next term as Graham Kitchener, 29, arrives from Leicester Tigers and his brother Andrew, 23, comes up from Worcester’s academy.

“If you think about it we are sitting with Anton Bresler, Michael Fatialofa and Graham Kitchener so there is quite a bit of experience there,” Solomons said.

“Andrew Kitchener has got quite a bit of experience too.

“He has had some injuries and there have been a variety of factors why he has not had as much rugby.

“But when you look at the back end of the season he played really well for us when he came off the bench.

“The guys that don’t have the experience are Justin and (James) Scott who is still in the academy.

“But I think we are well served having three senior guys and Kitch who might be a young lad coming out of the academy but has got experience and then you have got the two youngsters.”