SAMOA star Ed Fidow “had not had a proper pre-season” prior to joining Worcester Warriors according to boss Alan Solomons.

Fidow has made a flying start to the Rugby World Cup, scoring twice in Samoa’s convincing victory over Russia on Tuesday.

Having not been selected to represent his country in this summer’s Pacific Nations Cup, Fidow spent four weeks working with Warriors’ strength and conditioning staff before jetting off to Japan.

And Solomons stressed that Fidow “needed that pre-season” after moving from French Pro D2 club Provence.

Fidow has taken the international scene by storm since making his debut in June 2018 but Solomons believes his efforts in the gym at Sixways will bear fruit on rugby’s global stage this autumn.

“Working with us and Johan (Pretorius, head of performance) for those first four weeks (of pre-season) was really good for him,” Solomons said.

“He also got to know all the guys so it was great that he was left out of that Pacific Nations Cup squad and could work with us.

“He is a very easy guy to work with but needed that pre-season.

“He is a big, strong, powerful guy and is very quick but he had not had a proper pre-season before.”

Fidow has also played for Wests Bulldogs in Queensland, Brisbane City in Australia’s National Club Championship and Bordeaux-Begles in France’s Top 14.

The 26-year-old’s double against Russia increased his tally to 10 tries in nine Tests.

Fidow will hope to extend that record when Samoa take on Scotland on Monday before facing hosts Japan and Ireland in Pool A next month.

Solomons reckons the experience and exposure he will gain from the World Cup is “what he needs” and does not think Fidow will be daunted by any side in the competition.

“He scored a couple of tries which was really good for him,” Solomons said.

“He is a lad that has got ability, there’s no doubt about that.

“The exposure that the World Cup brings is massive for your development as you play on the biggest stage against phenomenal competition.

“I don’t think he’ll have a problem (when he faces the stronger nations) and will not worry too much.

“The experience will be so good for him and Samoa have some experienced players in their team as well.”