BOSS Alan Solomons has “taken away all the uncertainty” surrounding Worcester Warriors according to number eight Gerrit-Jan van Velze.

With the club up for sale and searching for a new director of rugby to replace Gary Gold, Warriors struggled at the start of the campaign.

Van Velze admitted the lack of certainty off the pitch played a “big part” in their early season problems as Worcester found themselves languishing at the foot of the Aviva Premiership table.

But following Solomons’ arrival as a consultant at Sixways in October and subsequent appointment as Gold’s successor in late December, Warriors started to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Van Velze said the veteran coach’s approach had a “very powerful” effect on the squad as they bid to retain their top-flight status.

“When Solly started off as a consultant it was pretty clear he came in to do one job,” he said.

“He was there to focus on the rugby so for him to slot into (the director of rugby) position (when Gary was away) was great.

“We then got a bit more balance to our game and then things have ran themselves.

“You have got to give credit to him as he has taken away all the uncertainty.

“He has made it clear what the goals are and where we are trying to get to by the end of the season which is very powerful in rugby.

“He has been really direct and down to the point which is what you want as a rugby player.

“I had never worked with him before but I have enjoyed it.”

Although Worcester have suffered back-to-back defeats to London Irish and Leicester Tigers in recent weeks they started February with a shock win at defending champions Exeter Chiefs and a victory over Gloucester.

The Sixways side are now 12 points clear of bottom club Irish with five games remaining.

“It is amazing what a bit of certainty gives you,” van Velze said.

“There is a lot of certainty and stability outside and around the club. We are a group that have had our fair few different coaches and fair few off field problems.

“But we have now got a bit of security and a lot of players playing good rugby which helps.”

Worcester lost their opening seven league games before beating Northampton Saints 30-15 in late November.

“You try to play it down when things are not that certain, but it does play a big part,” van Velze said.

“Rugby is such a big mental sport. You can have the best players, but you have got to turn up mentally. When there is stability it makes it a lot easier.”