Polledri closing in on Premiership comeback

JAKE Polledri is closing in on his first appearance in the Gallagher Premiership in 26 months after impressing Gloucester head coach George Skivington in the 38-21 Premiership Rugby Cup win over Bristol on Saturday.

Polledri has not played in the league since September 22, 2020 against Bath after suffering what was feared to be a career-ending knee and leg injury playing for Italy.

Back-row Polledri, 27, is now on the comeback trail having signed a new contract in the summer.

He has had to make do with appearances in the Premiership Rugby Cup and in the Championship for Hartpury.

Skivington said: “I thought Jake was very good on Saturday, the best performance he has had. He has been playing at Hartpury and little bits in the Prem Cup and I thought that was his strongest performance, which shows the programme we have put in place to build him up is working.

“His work rate and the number of times he carried was brilliant and that is a real positive.”

Gloucester are blessed with backrow talent, with captain Lewis

Ludlow, Ruan Ackermann, Jordy Reid, Albert Tuisue and Ben Morgan and youngsters Jack Clement, Harry Taylor and Jack Bartlett - and high profile signing Zach Mercer arrives next season from Montpellier.

Skivington said: “The backrow is really competitive, we have got lots of quality. There is a bit of a jigsaw with the backrow. We have got some great young guys coming through as well.”

Skivington concluded: “I do think Jake is getting nearer and nearer and I thought Saturday was a really physical performance.”