Kriel in the mix but Mostert will not make debut

JACO Kriel has been declared available for the first time since joining Gloucester – but fellow South African Franco Mostert is not being considered to face Bristol on Friday.

Flanker Kriel arrived in the summer but has been recovering from a shoulder operation, which has prevented him from playing until now, while Mostert officially joins the club from the Lions on Thursday.

Kriel’s return after over a year out is being managed carefully but head of academy Richard Whiffin confirmed he has now been passed fit and there is a chance he could be involved in Friday’s Premiership Rugby clash at Ashton Gate.

“He’s one of the guys that was available for selection,” said Whiffin.

“He’s someone we’ve got to be really careful with the length of injury he’s coming back from so his involvement going forward over the next few weeks will have to be heavily managed and controlled from decisions above me.”

It has already been confirmed that Mostert will not play for the Springboks against England at Twickenham on Saturday but Whiffin said there is “no chance” he will play for Gloucester on Friday.

Mostert was at Kingsholm on Saturday to watch Gloucester’s Premiership Rugby Cup win over Wasps.

The South Africa international lock is officially due to join the club on Thursday, a move that has been hotly disputed by the Golden Lions Union in South Africa.

However, his appearance is the clearest indication yet that Gloucester have come out on top in the tug of war for his services.

There were also been claims on social media of fans spotting Mostert with Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann in the city on Saturday before the game.

“He’s not been in the building yet, I don’t think anyone has shook his hand so he won’t be playing for us,” said Whiffin.

The senior players who were given a week off training after an intense first eight weeks of the season are now back and some could be involved on Friday.

Owen Williams, who has limited to four appearances off the bench so far this season, is among those who could get some game time under his belt.

Whffin said: “Last week he had a week off like a lot of the senior players albeit he hasn’t played a lot of rugby he’s done every single session and he’s been in since early July for the preseason so that was always in his plan to have a week off and he’s back in training and available for selection on Friday.”

Fly-half Lloyd Evans, who captained the side against Wasps, will have a shoulder injury assessed before a decision is made over his involvement against Bristol.

“He took a bang on his shoulder actually in the first minute so did really well to get to where he did, he just seized up at half-time,” said Whiffin.

“It’s just ultimately a stinger and it’s just how he recovers in the next day or two to see how he recovers for Friday but it’s a shame because he orchestrated that first half really well. He showed his class in that first 30 or 40 minutes.”

Scotland international prop Kyle Traynor remains with the club on a short-term contract and will be involved again against Bristol.

“We’re almost on a week to week with him,” said Whiffin. “He’s a seasoned pro and helped out massively last week and he’ll be involved again.”