Johan Ackermann has given his injury update ahead of Leicester on Friday night at Kingsholm and it’s mixed news with Charlie Sharples set to return as Ruan Ackermann faces long layoff.
Sharples set to return with Williams
Charlie Sharples is set to return following a niggle affecting his game time since the Munster clash. He is also set to be joined by fly half Owen Williams who got a light knock against Bristol. Ackermann saying, ”We’re hoping that Charlie Sharples will get through his training, the same for Owen Williams. It’s touch and go, but there were bits they could have done at training today, but they couldn’t have done other days.”
Ackermann out long term as Morgan stays monitored
Following an injury sustained whilst in the England camp Ben Morgan is being monitored by medical staff at both his club and country and he could possibly be in contention for this weekend’s game hinted Ackermann, ”He is still carrying an injury from the England camp and we’ll be making a later decision on him.”
Elsewhere in the back row it’s not good news for Ruan Ackermann. The South African flanker returned against Northampton after a spell away from the field, but following an ankle injury sustained in a training exercise he could well be in for another lengthy stint on the touchlines. ”Ruan Ackermann has picked up a seemingly bad injury. We still have to do the scan, but we expect him to be out for a while. He has an ankle injury and unfortunately twisted it badly in a tackle yesterday.”
Charlie Sharples set to return as Ruan Ackermann faces long layoff
This isn’t the news that Gloucester fans would have wanted with depth already stretched, but it will mean that Gareth Evans gets an extended period of game time. The other back row news is that Gloucester have included the young back rower Aaron Hinkley. Johan Ackermann has been impressed with what he’s been doing saying ”The attitude he trains with is good and it’s the same with all players that have been part of the team.”
Kyle Traynor has ”settled well and is knuckling down” on his week to week basis which is handy news as Val Rapava Ruskin was ill this week so he hasn’t been able to train so far Ackermann adding, ”It’s not smooth sailing behind the scenes for us.”
Good news at last
There is some good injury news for Cherry and Whites fans as Ben Vellacott’s injury is less serious than first thought meaning he is back in training. ”Ben [Vellacott] is almost ready. He’s actually running and training with us so that’s good news. He has recovered well. The scan has shown it was something small that will be easily fixed.”
Hooker depth bolstered with Bulls signing
Gloucester have made the signing of Blue Bulls hooker Jaco Visagie on a short term loan. The 26 year old will add a very versatile and abrasive style to the squad whilst adding a much needed experience to a injury ravaged team.
So Jaco Visagie sounds like a done deal to Gloucester. Short term loan. #glawsfamily
— Robert Rees (@Rreesrugby) 12 November 2018
When asked on the matter Ackermann said ”Franco Marais is out for 12 weeks so we’re playing with one senior hooker [James Hanson]. We’ve got Joe Mullis who’s been injured for a fair bit and Henry [Walker] is still learning his trade as is Todd Gleave. So we felt we just needed to up the stocks there and get a bit of depth so there’s a process now to see if we can get him over and hopefully he’ll add to that depth in the three month period he’ll be here.
We’ve spoken to the Bulls, with the injury to Franco it opened the door for him. It will be a short term thing due to his Super Rugby commitments. He’s an up and coming player in South Africa, but has played a fair bit of Super Rugby so he’s got that experience.”
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