DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons has dismissed speculation linking Bryce Heem with a move to Northampton Saints, insisting the wing was “happy” at Worcester Warriors.

The New Zealander had been rumoured to be weighing up an offer from Saints who are looking to fill the boots of George North ahead of next season.

According to another report highly-rated young hooker Jack Singleton was on the radar of Aviva Premiership rivals Sale Sharks, Wasps and Bath.

But Solomons confirmed Heem and Singleton were both “under contract” as the Worcester News understands their deals do not expire until the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

“Bryce is here, he is under contract and has been at work,” Solomons said.

“He is happy and playing good rugby. You don’t play good rugby unless you are happy. He’s enjoying himself.

“I don’t take much notice of rumours to be honest. I like to deal in fact, not fiction.”

Heem has scored 19 tries in 41 appearances since joining Warriors from Super 15 giants Waikato Chiefs in the summer of 2015.

The 29-year-old has yet to add to his account since scoring a hat-trick in Worcester’s 30-15 win over Northampton in November.

But Solomons said Heem felt “refreshed” after spending time in New Zealand with his family as Warriors prepare for their clash at Exeter Chiefs on Saturday (2pm).

“Bryce has had a great break,” Solomons said.

“I gave him two weeks because New Zealand is a long way away and he has not seen his family for a long time.

“The weather is obviously a little bit better as it is summer in the southern hemisphere.

“He said to me he felt so refreshed so that's a positive.”

Heem has not featured since Warriors’ 46-25 defeat to Bath in early January as Solomons looked to rotate players during the European Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup competitions.

Scrum-half Francois Hougaard, centre Ryan Mills and flanker Sam Lewis are among many Warriors’ regulars who are expected to be back in contention after being rested for their trip to Dragons last Friday.

“I have tried to give everyone a break after the Connacht game as there were a lot of players who had played quite a bit in that block of four games,” Solomons said.

“Bryce got the extra week because of the distance he made to see his family and I think he and the rest of the boys benefitted from that.”

Solomons said he was also pleased with the performances of the club’s academy aces in their 33-27 loss at Dragons.

“I thought the team did really well as there were a lot of young boys out there,” Solomons said.

“Andrew Kitchener called the line-outs and I thought he did a splendid job. Young Tom Dodd did really well as well and Ollie Lawrence who is still a schoolboy played at 12, so there were some real positives to come out of it.

“There was very little in the game. It could have gone either way. On reflection maybe a draw might have been a fair result on the night.”