DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons is “keeping an open mind” over selection for next week’s Gallagher Premiership opener against Leicester Tigers.

But he insists the Worcester Warriors players that will face Wasps at the Ricoh Arena tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm) “have a lot to live up to” after last week’s “incredible” showing in the 34-19 loss to Exeter Chiefs.

Solomons has been using the Premiership Cup games to run the rule over his squad before the league campaign gets underway at Sixways next Saturday.

And Solomons admitted there were performances from players against Chiefs that he “perhaps did not expect”.

“It was an incredible performance,” Solomons said.

“Exeter put out what I believed was close to their strongest available side.

“We had a thread of experience but there were a lot of younger players playing and I thought the effort that was put in was remarkable.

“We made 312 tackles which is a lot and the tackle completion was 92 per cent.”

Star trio Francois Hougaard, Duncan Weir and Melani Nanai are among a number of players that will return to the starting line-up after being rested for the Exeter clash.

“If you look at the team for these four games no one can complain to me that they have not had a fair chance,” said Solomons at the supporters' forum.

“At this particular moment I am keeping an open mind (before picking the team to face Leicester).

“Last week there were performances out there that I perhaps didn’t expect or anticipate.

“Let’s see what happens this weekend and then on Sunday we will sit down and select our side (for Leicester).”

Solomons has also urged his team to "hit the ground running" against Wasps after a sorry start to their last away match saw Bath quickly establish a 17-0 lead.

“It is no good waiting to see what the opposition have to offer before we start playing," Solomons said.

“The team that is playing this weekend have a lot to live up to because that match on Friday night was one of the most committed performances I have seen.

“They need to show that same level of commitment and part and parcel of that is getting a good opening 20 minutes.”