SCRUM-HALF Francois Hougaard was “fine” after being stretchered off with a head injury in Worcester Warriors’ 32-24 defeat at Northampton Saints.

That was the assessment of boss Alan Solomons who felt his “talisman” would now benefit from a five-week break this summer before returning for pre-season training.

Hougaard suffered a blow to his head on the half hour mark which led to a lengthy stoppage as he received treatment.

But the 30-year-old gave a thumbs up as he headed down the tunnel on a stretcher and was seen chatting to his teammates after the match.

“When Francois made the tackle he got his head in the wrong place and hit his opponent’s hip,” Solomons said.

“But he is fine at the moment.

“Obviously there will be a concussion protocol but there is no rugby for him for five weeks so he will be fine.”

Despite lying on the ground concussed and medics rushing onto the field to his aid the match continued for several phases before referee Luke Pearce stopped the clock.

But when asked for his views on the way the match official dealt with the situation, Solomons said: “It was difficult.

“He is a good referee and handled the game well so I have got no complaints.”

Warriors were leading 14-7 thanks to two Will Butler tries in the opening 12 minutes before Hougaard’s injury.

Butler, 20, also had to be replaced due to an arm problem which forced Solomons to reshuffle his team.

Tom Howe was brought on in place of the injured Butler and went on the wing with Josh Adams moving into midfield to partner Ben Te’o.

“We got that big hit from the kick-off and that set the tone,” Solomons said.

“I thought we were doing really well until that double injury blow.

“That was the turning point in the game as we lost Will and Francois.

“Not only is Francois our talisman and playing terrifically well, we have got Wynand Olivier, Ryan Mills and Jackson Willison all out.

“Bryce Heem was out and Dean Hammond who can also cover at 13 is away at the moment.”

Te’o notched Warriors’ third touchdown shortly after the interval but Saints responded with two tries in four minutes with Nafi Tuitavake and Ben Foden going over.

Tom Collins also crossed the whitewash before a Stephen Myler penalty late on denied Worcester a losing bonus point.

But Saints’ interim head coach Alan Dickens was unhappy with the way his side started the encounter before Mitch Eadie scored their opening try.

“We were makers of our own downfall in the first 10 or 15 minutes,” Dickens said.

“That happened from the kick off as we were loose, lost possession, they put us under pressure on the left wing and Ben got a yellow card.

“They scored 14 points while he was off the pitch so credit to the players as they got back into it and got field position in the second half.

“We have got to be pleased with a win and four tries.”