DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons believes Niall Annett and Carl Kirwan are due an injury-free 2018-19 campaign after two luckless seasons with Worcester Warriors.

A string of injuries forced the pair to miss most of 2016-17 and their luck went from bad to worse last term as they failed to make a first-team appearance.

Hooker Annett, 27, had just recovered from a hamstring problem that ruled him out of the opening few matches only to suffer knee ligament damage which resulted in him spending the rest of the campaign on the sidelines.

Flanker Kirwan, 27, has also had a frustrating time on the treatment table as he has sustained blows to both of his shoulders in the past two years.

Solomons hailed the duo’s resilience to overcome their setbacks and was hopeful they would be ready to fight for a place in the side after a good pre-season under their belts.

“Niall took part in certain aspects of training and Carl did the same but they were not considered for games last year,” Solomons said.

“Hopefully now they have had those run of injuries they are going to be injury-free this coming season.

“Of course everybody in that situation finds it tough but they are good, strong, resilient men who are taking a positive view on things.

“They are looking forward to next season. Both of them should be good to go in pre-season and maybe they will strike a bit of good luck.”

Kirwan joined Warriors in 2015 from London Welsh and went on to make 16 outings in his first season at Sixways.

But due to his shoulder problems he has only been able to turn out eight more times in blue and gold with his latest injury coming in a Worcester Cavaliers clash in October.

Annett arrived at Worcester from Ulster in 2014 and helped the club gain promotion to the Premiership, making 22 appearances.

The Irishman was establishing himself as Warriors’ first-choice hooker as he made 21 further showings in the 2015-16 campaign.

But injuries have hit him hard since then as he played in just nine Warriors matches the following season and only managed one outing for the Cavaliers last term.

Despite Annett’s injury issues Solomons handed the ex-Ireland under 20s ace a one-year contract extension in January.

“I haven’t seen Niall or Carl play yet so it will be interesting to see them out there,” Solomons added.

“I know Niall as the Ulster guys have told me about him as he has got a very good reputation over there.”