Nice headaches for Ackermann ahead of return clash with Exeter

WITH a six-day turnaround after Gloucester’s stunning victory away to Exeter to the return clash at Kingsholm, Johan Ackermann faces some big selection choices.

The head coach surprised some people with the starting XV for the first Heineken Champions Cup meeting between the sides but it paid off handsomely to maintain his side’s hopes of reaching the quarterfinals.

Ackermann refutes the notion that he had one eye on the game at Kingsholm after leaving some big names out but he must now decide whether to bring some of them back on Friday.

Stick or twist?

CHANGES look inevitable and at least one will be enforced with Henry Trinder ruled out with a knee injury, while Jake Polledri is 50-50.

There is an argument that the players who performed so well at Sandy Park deserve another go but Ackermann does like to rotate.

He said: “It’s just the belief in the players and the squad. Rotating, I’ve always done it and always like to see, if the depth in the positions allow it, to try and freshen the players up.

“Our list of injuries at the moment in the back row and hooker and front row means we can’t rotate as much as we’d like to but we’ve got that luxury at full-back and wing where we gave Huddo (Tom Hudson) and Banners (Matt Banahan) an opportunity above Charlie (Sharples) and gave Henry Trinder an opportunity again and gave Billy Twelvetrees a break.

“We don’t plan ahead, we don’t do those things because we’re looking at the next game. We do it because we’ve got faith and trust in the players and it’s up to them to use that opportunity.”

The big guns pushing for a return GLOUCESTER’S depth was illustrated by the bench at Sandy Park and those left out, let alone a lengthy list of players who weren’t available.

Ed Slater has been the regular starting lock this season, captaining the side on occasions, and will be pushing for a return.

Gerbrandt Grobler, pictured, was one of the standout players at Sandy Park with great work in the lineout and big tackles, although there is a question mark over Tom Savage, who has been in good form himself but came off with a sore shoulder/back.

With Polledri struggling, it is also possible that one of the locks could move to the back row.

Twelvetrees has also been one of Gloucester’s consistent performers this season and would be expected to return with Trinder out.

Jason Woodward another big-name is player pushing for a recall but Hudson performed admirably. Sharples is the Premiership’s leading try scorer with nine tries this season and was not even in the squad at Sandy Park. However, Ollie Thorley is the inform wing at the moment and having the more physical presence of Banahan on the other side offered Gloucester a nice balance. An option could be to move Banahan to centre to get all three in the team.

Is Franco Mostert ready?

THE South Africa international got a taste of Kingsholm in the win over Worcester Warriors two weeks ago. He was not involved at Exeter with but comes back into contention this week.

“Franco has been rested so he’s available for selection and has hopefully got that bit of energy back,” said Ackermann.

“It’s good to see him on the pitch, a full week of training and it’s another week he’s settled in.

“He’s looked a lot more comfortable with the calls than a week ago.

“We’ll start integrating that he can start calling it because he likes calling the lineouts but Gerbrandt and Ed have done a great job so we’ve got three guys who are very confident in calling the lineouts.”

Mostert brings world class quality to Gloucester’s squad and his status in the international game was confirmed by his nomination for SA Rugby Player of the Year 2018.

It would be harsh on any of the locks ato miss out and it remains to be seen if he will make his first start on Friday.

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