Gotovtsev is named in Gloucester squad

RUSSIA captain Kirill Gotovtsev will make his first appearance in the Gloucester Rugby matchday 23 since war broke out between his country and Ukraine, writes John Evely.

Prop Gotovtsev, who has become a fan favourite at Kingsholm, returns from injury to face Wasps today.

Weeks before Russian president Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February, Gotovtsev was leading his country in the Rugby Europe Championship, losing 34-25 to Romania.

As a result of the war, the Russian national team have been suspended from playing international rugby for the foreseeable future and will no longer be allowed to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, meaning Georgia have secured their place at the tournament in France.

When the conflict broke out, Cherry & Whites head coach George Skivington was asked how Gotovtsev and the club were dealing with the situation.

Skivington said: “I can’t say I have done anything special. We have had conversations around it.

“Kirill is a pretty honest bloke and he has said ‘It is not very good right now.’ We will support him and his family however we can, but at the end of the day he is in England playing rugby and it is probably a nice relief for him that he can crack on with his job, his kids can go to school and his wife can live somewhere it is not in your face.

“We have got to respect it is a stressful time for him right now. He is in a good spot, he wants to get back playing.”

Gotovtsev has been named on the bench for the game at Kingsholm alongside former England man Ben Morgan, who makes his return from surgery on his knee. Jack Singleton also returns from injury, as does centre Mark Atkinson.

Gloucester Rugby: K Moyle; S Carreras, C Harris, M Atkinson, L Rees-Zammit; A Hastings, B Meehan; V Rapava-Ruskin, J Singleton, F Balmain, F Clarke, M Alemanno, J Reid, L Ludlow (capt), R Ackermann. Replacements: S Socino, H Elrington, K Gotovtsev, A Davidson, B Morgan, C Chapman, B Twelvetrees, T Seabrook.

Clifton continue their bid for the National Two South title away to lowly Canterbury this afternoon, while leaders Esher visit Guernsey, and second-placed Redruth head to Worthing, who lie fourth.