Val Rapava-Ruskin in danger of missing remainder of season due to groin injury

Gloucester Rugby prop Val Rapava-Ruskin is set to miss the remainder of the ongoing season after sustaining a groin injury during the European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final clash against Connacht last weekend.

The 25-year-old was replaced in the 50th minute during the game at Sportsground which his team went on to win 28-33 to progress to the semi-finals. Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann said Rapava-Ruskin will need at least "four to six weeks" of rehabilitation period.

“He’s definitely out but I think in layman’s terms it’s a four to six week injury and four weeks or six weeks from now we’ll be close to the finish. So close to the end of the season it’s going to be really touch and go because the injury has to recover and then he has to get full fitness etcetera.

“You never know, some players respond quicker but at the moment it will be 50-50.”

This is Rapava-Ruskin's second injury since he switched from Worcester Warriors to Gloucester after an ankle injury kept him on the sidelines for close to three months. Meanwhile, centre Henry Trinder has been declared fit for the upcoming Aviva Premiership clash against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Sunday after recovering from a head injury that he suffered during the game against Connacht.