Carreras could be fit for final, says Skivington

SANTI Carreras could well win his race against time to get back fit for Gloucester’s European Challenge Cup final against Sharks on Friday, May 24, having had surgery to remove his appendix, writes John Evely.

The Argentina international missed the Cherry & Whites’ semi-final win over Benetton last weekend due to the operation that saw him have his appendix taken out, but director of rugby George Skivington is hopeful the full-back’s season is not over yet.

Skivington said: “He could get back for the final. He’s doing (rehab) in the background.

“He hasn’t been out on the rugby pitch yet. I knew he wasn’t going to make it to the semi, but I think in theory he can get there. I think it’s one of those, he’s in a category with a number of lads where we just sort of go week by week and it might come down to the Sunday night before that final just making some calls on people and hopefully Santi (pictured right) will be within that bracket, but there’s no guarantees either way with that at the moment.”

In Carreras’ absence, young Welshman Josh Hathaway started at full-back against Benetton and drew praise from Skivington for his performance, but he is only too aware having ‘world-class’ men on the pitch like Carreras could prove the difference in the final.

Skivington said: “There are some players who are further down the line or who are world-class players.

“Santi is absolutely in that bracket and, of course, in an ideal world you’ve got all your best players, your most experienced players, ready for the final, but if we haven’t, we’ve got young players like Josh Hathaway who we have given exposure to be ready for big games.

“Josh did a great job last weekend and he’s grown week by week.

“In terms of selection, we’ll see where we are the Sunday before the final and hopefully there’s some challenging decisions to make because that’s a good space.”

Gloucester visit Northampton in the Premiership tomorrow.