DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons believes Worcester Warriors have repaired their malfunctioning lineout ahead of tonight’s meeting with Harlequins at Sixways (7.45pm).

Solomons admitted Worcester’s struggles at the set-piece was a “major factor” in last weekend’s 28-13 Gallagher Premiership defeat at Bath.

But after paying attention to it in training this week Solomons said head coach Rory Duncan who is in charge of the forwards had come up with a “solution” to the problem.

“Our set-piece and particularly our lineout didn’t function well,” Solomons said.

“We have analysed it and I believe that we have sorted out the problems that we had.

“But that was major factor in the game, there’s no question about that.

“It was the difference between winning and losing on the weekend.

“But Rory has come up with a solution for it and I am confident that the lineout will be fine going forward.”

Hookers Jack Singleton and Niall Annett struggled to hit their target as Bath’s forwards made a number of steals at the lineout.

But Solomons refused to apportion blame.

“The lineout is a collective thing,” Solomons said.

“There is the assembly, the call, the throw, the jump and the support.

“Sometimes it is one or more things that can go wrong but collectively our lineout wasn’t good on the weekend and we have paid attention to it.

“Everyone is disappointed but we have analysed the game and we can understand that the platform of your game is the set-piece.

“Difficulties like that can happen on a particular day and it had a huge impact on the outcome of that game.”

The loss at Bath saw Warriors slip two places to ninth, five points behind fifth-placed Harlequins who have won three of their first seven league games.

The London club underwent a change in management over the summer with Paul Gustard leaving his role as England’s defence coach to replace John Kingston as Quins boss.

“Paul Gustard is obviously a very good coach and he has got experiences with Saracens and England,” Solomons said.

“The pre-season starts in mid to late June so they are already five months into it.

“That’s more than enough time for him to have had an impact and they are playing really well.

“They have got some injuries and have changed personnel.

“There has been a little bit of change in emphasis in the way they approach games with Gustard coming in and they have had a good season to date.”