WARRIORS' director of rugby Alan Solomons has dismissed the idea that this weekend's clash with an injury-stricken Bristol Bears will be anything but a difficult fixture as the two face off at Ashton gate on Saturday (3pm).

The hosts have a number of players on the injury list, as well as a few star players away on international duty but Solomons insists his Warriors side are expecting the Bears to be a challenging prospect.

"Bristol have a particular way they play." he added.

"Pat (Lam) has been there for a while now and everyone is in tune with the system, they are confident, especially on the back of what they achieved last season so whatever side they put out, they will be a really difficult team to beat."

Solomons was also full of admiration for his opposite number Lam and applauded the job he has done with the South-West outfit.

"He's done a terrific job," he said

"That's evidence in what we saw in the last season; they won the European Challenge Cup and reached the semi-finals of the Premiership.

"Pat has put together a really good side, with some outstanding players in the team and then also added some serious X-factor.

"He's done a tremendous job."

Worcester and Bristol have shared some memorable fixtures over the past decade, none more so than the Championship play-off final back in 2015.

Whilst Solomons was not involved at that point, he appreciates a "healthy" rivalry has developed between the two sides.

"I have heard about those games for sure," he said.

"It's a rivalry that goes back some way but that's healthy and I think the game will be played in good spirits.

"There is no easy game in the Premiership, you can see that with results last weekend and that will be no different with Bristol at Ashton Gate this weekend.

"They are a very good side with good skills, they play in a particular way so we have to be alive and alert."

Bristol were unfortunate not to win on the opening day of the season, conceding a 77th minute try at the Ricoh Arena as Wasps secured a dramatic 23-20 victory.

Warriors will be hoping to make it back-to-back league wins to start the new campaign after their narrow 11-10 win over London Irish last weekend.