Warriors worrying over star

Saracens 62 Worcester 5

WORCESTER boss Alan Solomons admitted his “massive concern” about the neck injury suffered by replacement Michael Fatialofa in the thumping defeat at Saracens.

Fatialofa had been on the pitch for just over a minute when the second-row was hurt while taking the ball into contact.

Play was held up for almost 10 minutes as he received medical attention and, having been carried from the pitch on a stretcher, he was taken by ambulance to hospital.

“For me, a neck injury like that is a massive concern and I am worried about it, but I haven’t had any report from the hospital,” Solomons said.

“It seemed like Michael dropped his head as he went into contact, but I haven’t studied the footage. It seems like he’s taken a blow to the neck.”

Solomons refused to criticise his Warriors as they conceded 10 tries in a brutally one-sided clash at Allianz Park.

The South African felt Worcester were on the receiving end of a backlash after the champions – docked 35 points for salary cap offences – had lost 14-7 at arch-rivals Exeter six days ago.

Saracens director of rugby Mark Mccall said: “Our thoughts are with Michael Fatialofa. It didn’t look great. His health is the most important thing.

“We were outworked by Exeter so fair play to them for that, but it’s something we don’t want to happen.

“We want to play with intensity and properly work hard and as we saw here that gives you a lot of good things in rugby.

“We want to enjoy our rugby. We did that in the first 30 minutes and got a lot of rewards.”

Tries: Earl, Segun (2), Barritt, M Vunipola, Barrington, Itoje Taylor, Wray, Daly Cons: Farrell (6)

Tries: Fidow