Polledri continues comeback with Hartpury

GLOUCESTER Rugby’s Italy forward Jake Polledri is set to play for the Cherry & Whites’ near-neighbours Hartpury against Nottingham this weekend as he continues to recover from a career-threatening injury, writes Mark Halliwell.

The 26-year-old back row man suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament, a fractured leg, torn calf and ruptured a hamstring off the bone, all from a seemingly innocuous slip on the field, while nerve damage in his foot further complicated his comeback.

After several operations and months of rehab, Polledri, pictured, stepped back onto the field for

Gloucester against Hartpury in a pre-season match in September.

He has since played two further matches in the Premiership Rugby Cup for Gloucester, scoring a try against Bath, and continues his return to full fitness with more game time at Hartpury.

Polledri joined Hartpury after being released by Bristol as a young player, and had a vital role in the unbeaten National League One year of 2016/17, which saw Hartpury’s promotion to the Championship.

Hartpury director of rugby, John Barnes said: “We can’t wait to welcome Jake back to Hartpury.

“Game time with us gives him more important minutes on the pitch in an environment he knows very well. Having played 60-plus games in a Hartpury shirt, it’s no surprise that he’s fitted seamlessly into training this week as if he’s never been away.

“We can’t wait to see him back out there this weekend.”

Versatile forward Joe Batley has re-joined Bristol Bears following the collapse of Worcester Warriors.

The 26-year-old, who can play in the second row or back row, returns to Ashton Gate after the Warriors were partially wound up earlier this week and all their players became out of work free agents.

Ted Hill, Ollie Lawrence, Fergus Lee-Warner and Valeriy Morozov had already joined Bath on loan, while British & Irish Lions winger Duhan van der Merwe has returned to former club Edinburgh.

Bears boss Pat Lam said: “Joe has developed massively in his time at Worcester, and I know he will add real value to our team.”