Gloucester Director of Rugby George Skivington has confirmed rising prop star Afolabi Fasogbon will miss Sunday’s trip to Exeter in round nine of the Gallagher Premiership but he remains at a bit of a loss over the state of Val Rapava-Ruskin’s injury.
Still only 20 years of age, Fasogbon has turned in several strong scrummaging performances this season, notably waving off Ellis Genge after edging a titanic battle with the Bristol loosehead, and has been tipped for the very top.
However, the England U20 tighthead will play no part in the Sandy Park clash as Gloucester seek a fourth straight league win after injuring his ankle in Friday night’s 14-0 win over Harlequins.
“It was just one of those where you get caught underneath a body, and a bit of bad luck,” Skivington said, recalling the incident.
“He’s off for scans today so, hopefully, we’ll have a good read on what’s going on in the next couple of days, as long as we can get the scans and get them to the surgeons.
“Christmas week is not the ideal week to be chasing people or to be asking people to be looking at this stuff. He won’t be playing this week, unfortunately.”
20 year old tight head Afolabi Fasogbon waving off Ellis Genge as he got subbed! The meme of the round in the @premrugby pic.twitter.com/q4fGJqiXGS
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) September 27, 2024
On the other side of the scrum, Val Rapava-Ruskin pulled out of the Harlequins match after his knee flared up during the warm-up.
It is the second time this season that the 32-year-old has been withdrawn from the Cherry & Whites’ starting XV at the eleventh hour, and Skivington admitted during Monday afternoon’s media session that it is a frustrating situation.
“I’ve had a chat with Val this morning, we just need to get to the bottom of it really. It is frustrating because I feel like Val is in really good condition, his performances have been getting progressively better and it just feels like a little bump in the road.
“Just talking to everybody here we are pretty confident and they are trying out a few things today to just try and see if they make a difference with a little intervention because we can’t have people pulling in and out because it is just not good for preparation. It is hugely frustrating but there is not a lot more we can do.”
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On the positive side, Skivington has been delighted with the progress of versatile prop Ciaran Knight, who deputised for Rapava-Ruskin.
Skivington believes the Gloucester-born 26-year-old’s form can be attributed in part to him being left out of last year’s European Challenge Cup final defeat to Sharks.
“I think Ciaran has done brilliantly. He only just missed out on playing in that European final last year. We had some illness in the front row in the week of the final and obviously, we knew the front row was going to be a really tricky spot so we hedged our bets and we got it wrong. If I could go back in time, I would play Ciaran and give him that experience.
“But I think he has come back in this year slightly different, he’s come back in with a bit of an edge. I think he wants to prove a point. He is a very good rugby player and a very intelligent individual and a very skilful player. The good thing about Ciaran is he can play loose, and tight, and he can pick up information really well. I think he has come of age this season and is really thriving.”
