Nervy wait for Gloucester's injured No. 8

INJURY UPDATE: Gloucester is holding thumbs that two of their stars will be ready to face Edinburgh at Kingsholm in their Challenge Cup match on Friday.

But chances are that England No. 8 Zach Mercer and wing Ollie Thorley might both be out for an extended period after the pair of internationals suffered knee injuries in Saturday’s 25-17 victory away at Northampton Saints in the Premiership.

Both men are set to undergo scans on Thursday and will most likely play no part in the Cherry and Whites’ Challenge Cup opener against Edinburgh.

Speaking in his midweek press conference, Gloucester’s Director of Rugby George Skivington said: “There’s a few lads with a couple of bumps and bruises that we need to look after, but Zach and Ollie were the two major ones.

“They have consultant appointments on Thursday and we will have the results of scans but I don’t think they’re going to be pretty, to be honest. I’m just judging by what I see, the way they’re on crutches and that.

“I think those two are potentially longer-term injuries which is very upsetting because both of them have been in really good form for us.

“I actually thought Saturday was probably Zac’s best game of certainly this season if not one of the best games he’s had for the club. All round he was really, really good.”

Pushed on the nature of the knee injuries, Skivington continued: “I think you’re potentially looking at MCLs, ACLs, it’s going to be something along those lines.

“Obviously, I’m hoping for strains rather than serious issues, but between the two of them, they’re pretty honest and when they came off the pitch they were swollen and sore and hobbling around.

“Sometimes you get lucky with those types of injuries where boys think they’ve hurt themselves and then you come Monday and actually the swelling has gone down but unfortunately, in their cases, none of the starting signs are very positive. I hate to say it, but it doesn’t look too positive.”