WORCESTER Warriors have refused to comment on speculation linking Dean Ryan with the vacant director of rugby post at Bath.

Rumours have been circulating on social media that Warriors’ chief has been approached by the Somerset club who have yet to replace axed head coach Mike Ford.

Ryan was appointed Warriors’ director of rugby in 2013 following a short coaching stint with Scotland.

After suffering relegation in his first season, the former Gloucester head coach helped Worcester clinch the Greene King IPA Championship title and British & Irish Cup in the 2014/15 campaign.

Under Ryan’s guidance, the Sixways side went on to secure a club-record four successive wins last season to help them finish 10th in the Aviva Premiership.

In October last year, the 50-year-old was tipped as one of the favourites to become England’s new head coach.

But at the time Ryan insisted he was not interested in leaving Worcester to take up another role.

"I'm not interested in the speculation," he said.

"Save your money. I signed up here for a specific challenge.

"To come here was a huge direction in life. I only came here because of how big the challenge is and what I think we can do with it and I have a commitment to the people who came to me and asked me.”