Gloucester lose Cokanasiga and Ford-Robinson until January
Gloucester will be without winger Phil Cokanasiga until January after surgery on a foot injury.
The 25-year-old damaged his foot in Gloucester’s 45-24 win away at Exeter’s Sandy Park, yet still played the entire 80 minutes, according to BBC Sport. It is a cruel interruption to a bright start. Cokanasiga, a winger — the wide attacker tasked with finishing moves — only joined Gloucester this summer.
He arrived from the Ospreys, who play in the United Rugby Championship, the league covering Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and South Africa. He marked his Gloucester debut with two tries — rugby’s five-point scores — in a Prem Rugby Cup defeat by Bristol. He then held his place for the league trip to Exeter.
Head coach George Skivington must now reshape his back line without him for the next three months. Pace out wide is hard to replace. Gloucester like to move the ball early when they have momentum.
There is more bad news up front. Prop Jamal Ford-Robinson, a front-row forward who anchors the scrum, is also out until January after an operation on a torn hamstring.
Ford-Robinson suffered that injury in the defeat to Bristol. His absence continues a frustrating run. He has been limited to five games for Gloucester since the start of last season.
For fans, this means depth will be tested. Losing a finisher and a scrummager at once stretches a squad in different ways. Gloucester will need other wings to step up and carry hard, and other props to hold firm when fatigue sets in.
