DIRECTOR of rugby Gary Gold hailed tighthead prop Biyi Alo’s display as “outstanding” in Worcester Warriors’ 41-10 defeat to Exeter Chiefs.

Alo replaced the injured Nick Schonert for the Aviva Premiership clash at Sixways and went over for Warriors’ only try at the start of the second half.

But Gold was also impressed by how well the 23-year-old fronted up in the scrum against a power-packed Exeter side.

“I thought he was absolutely outstanding,” Gold.

“After last week when he got a bit of a working over against Wasps, I think he was targeted.

“But with the exception of that very last scrum we pretty much won all our scrums.

“We had good parity there and we were able to play off them.”

Alo, who is the heaviest player in the Premiership, weighing 143kg, has made 22 appearances for Warriors since joining as injury dispensation cover from Saracens last summer.

“I thought Biyi got around the park as well,” Gold continued.

“He is going to have a really bright future, so I am happy with how he stepped up to the plate.”

Warriors have begun their search for a tighthead to come in as cover for Schonert who has been ruled out for three months.

But with Gold admitted they were no closer to filling that spot, he said he was keen to back Alo and the returning Gareth Milasinovich who came off the bench to play the remaining 27 minutes against Exeter.

“You could see Gareth was a little bit short of game time,” Gold added.

“He is a quality player as well, so it is more about (adding to) the strength in depth (when looking to sign a tighthead), not about the individuals that are playing at the moment.”