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Jonny May still in the Gloucester selection mix for Friday despite last's Saturday's failed HIA

By PA
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Gloucester head coach George Skivington says Jonny May could recover in time for Friday’s Gallagher Premiership clash with local rivals Bristol – but admits he is making contingency plans. May’s first game since returning to Kingsholm from Leicester Tigers lasted just 18 minutes last Saturday.

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The winger failed a head injury assessment (HIA) following a high tackle from Melani Nanai during the Premiership thrashing of Worcester. Warriors full-back Nanai was sent off for the challenge by referee Christophe Ridley and later apologised to England wing May.

Skivington must wait to discover whether his player will be fit to feature in the derby clash with the second-placed Bears. “Jonny’s going through the protocols. He didn’t train today (Tuesday). There is certain HIA stuff he has got to go through with the medical team and I will get a report at the end of the day and find out where he is at.

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Former Premiership regular Alex Grove guests on The Lockdown, the RugbyPass pandemic interview series, to talk about his recent cross-channel charity swim

“The protocol means he could turn it around and play, there is time. But obviously there are certain measures that the physio and him will go through and tick off. I’m not sure where he’s at but obviously we’re planning around it and what not. But, yeah, he can turn it around for the game.”

Tackled by Nanai in the opening quarter at Sixways, May was left injured on the ground following the collision. With play stopped, Gloucester physios rushed to his aid while referee Ridley checked the incident with his TMO, Keith Lewis.

Replays suggested that the shoulder of the full-back, the 27-year-old Samoan who came to the Premiership via the Super Rugby Blues in the summer of 2019, collided with May’s head, resulting in the red card decision. May was taken off for a HIA and didn’t return.

Nanai copped it on the chin on Twitter, later apologising for the botched tackle. “Just wanted to say sorry to Jonny May, my teammates, the staff at Worcester Warriors and all our fans. It wasn’t my intention to tackle that way and sending my best to Jonny and the Gloucester team for the rest of the season.”

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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