DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons has emphasised the importance of the next three games in Worcester Warriors’ Aviva Premiership season.

Second-from-bottom Warriors begin a “massive month” of matches with a trip to defending champions and league leaders Exeter Chiefs tomorrow (2pm).

They then host local rivals Gloucester a week tomorrow before visiting bottom club London Irish in a crunch relegation clash on Sunday, February 25.

Irish are nine points adrift at the bottom but hope to close the gap on Warriors ahead of their much-anticipated meeting.

The Exiles entertain Sale Sharks at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow before taking on Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens seven days later.

Warriors have been boosted by the return of tighthead prop Nick Schonert and lock Will Spencer from injury and Solomons said he hoped his key men would stay fit during February.

“It is a big block for us and we need to get something out of it,” said Solomons whose side have not won in the league since beating Irish in December.

“We have lost Wynand Olivier who is not coming back this season due to injury.

“But everybody else that has had little bumps and niggles, like Nick and Will who have been out for a bit longer, are back and ready to go so let’s just hope they can stay healthy.

“This is a massive month for us and the focus needs to be on the rugby.”

In the past four weeks Warriors have been knocked out of the European Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup.

But Solomons believes his rotation policy over that period will pay dividends as they look to retain their top-flight status.

“This is a key block of games during the month of February so it was important the whole squad played some rugby,” Solomons said.

“Having played these games now it has put us in good stead.”

Irish have also exited both cup competitions but put together a run of four straight victories.

“They have been going well,” Solomons said.

“We know they are very tough opposition. We had a tough encounter against them at Sixways and they have bolstered their squad with Arno Botha and Piet van Zyl coming in.

“I think we have done relatively well over the last two or three months so I am happy with where we are.”

But Solomons admitted Warriors faced a “massive challenge” against Exeter who are five points clear at the league’s summit.

“Exeter are an outstanding side,” he added.

“Rob Baxter has done an absolutely outstanding job there. But I think everyone at that club must take credit for what they have done.

“They are the model club. Their star went into the sky slowly and stayed there.”