Gloucester Rugby: Shaun Knight rides to the rescue a Kingsholm?
SHAUN Knight is hoping to help ease Gloucester's tighthead prop injury glut, and be fit in time to face London Welsh on Saturday week.
The 23-year-old front-rower's knee tendon trouble has kept him sidelined far longer than initially expected.
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Shaun Knight
Knight has not played since Gloucester's 36-16 Amlin Challenge Cup victory over Mont de Marsan at Kingsholm on Saturday, January 19.
The Matson-born prop was only expected to miss a fortnight's action, but has encountered problems with his recovery.
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Now though he feels he is starting to win the battle, and is hopeful he will be ready for Gloucester's next Premiership clash, against Welsh at Kingsholm on Saturday, March 23 (kick-off 3pm).
Rupert Harden hobbled out of Gloucester's 31-25 defeat at Bath on Friday, March 1, and the Cherry and Whites are still assessing his condition.
Italian Dario Chistolini will be on hand to face Welsh, but Gloucester will need as many tighthead hands on deck as possible.
And Knight is hoping he will be ready in time.
He explained: "I think I've been out about seven weeks now, that was frustrating to include the Saxons, but generally I'm just desperate to get back playing.
"It's a massive six games we've got left and I desperately want to be involved in them.
"I'm hoping to be back soon, but the injury is just taking a little bit more time than we thought at first.
"Yesterday I ran the best I have since the injury, and it felt really good.
"So I've just got to keep working hard and hopefully there's a good chance I can be ready for the London Welsh game."
Knight said it is important not to allow injuries to affect your mood.
He continued: "Some people hate injuries and go into a dark place, I do now and again but I try as hard as I can not to let it get to me.
"It does get on top of you at times but you've got to think there are a lot worse things than being out for almost two months."
Docked five points for fielding incorrectly registered scrum-half Tyson Keats, London Welsh now find themselves bottom of the Premiership table, two points behind Sale Sharks.
The Exiles claim former team manager Mike Scott is at the centre of Keats' botched registration, and have launched a staunch appeal of the RFU's ruling.
Knight believes no amount of off-field wrangling will affect Welsh's approach when they pitch up at Kingsholm a week on Saturday.
In fact the Gloucester Academy graduate believes Lyn Jones' men will be an even tougher prospect in the face of their steadily-increasing adversity.
He added: "All of their problems could make them even harder to beat.
"They're a fighting team anyway, because they have to be.
"They've claimed some good results already this season, and I can't see it affecting them, they will just try to fight it out even more.
"I think the only way it will affect them is by forcing them to fight it out to the death even more than they would already anyway."
83 Comments
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by walker1103
Sunday, March 17 2013, 12:05PM
“I really hope Rupert is fit again to start against London Welsh next weekend. We don't want to go into that game with an underpowered scrum.”
by Nick-Iewis
Sunday, March 17 2013, 12:01PM
“Rupert Harden IS the best tight head at Gloucester. We need him back for next weekend.”
by DaveBaldwin
Sunday, March 17 2013, 11:57AM
“Here's some more maths for the clueless Gloucester Rugby hating multi-identitied troll, akadau;
Gloucester Rugby's starting tight head + Gloucester Rugby's best tight head = RUPERT HARDEN.”
by Glaws-Surfer
Sunday, March 17 2013, 11:55AM
“I was mightily impressed with Harden in our last game. Totally out-gunned his opposite number and building a steady platform for Gloucester. Unfortunately, when he went off that went to pieces.”
by Sid-Glawsder
Sunday, March 17 2013, 11:52AM
“I get the distinct impression that the ad old troll with the many names, i.e. akadau, etc. doesn't like Rupert Harden. On the other hand, the Gloucester DoR, who is very knowledgeable about these things, likes selecting Harden to start the key games and that suits me fine.”
by alex-bound
Sunday, March 17 2013, 11:48AM
“Out of 17 Premiership games so far this season, Harden has started 13. Nigel Davies, the chap who earns his money from knowing what is what when it comes to rugby union, certainly knows which of his tight-head props is his first choice. On the other hand, the shrivelled old man, akadau, wouldn't get a penny for his rugby knowledge.”
by jasonbennett8
Sunday, March 17 2013, 11:45AM
“Another wonderful performance from our first choice tight head, Rupert Harden. Last time out. Unfortunately, we lost all the power in the scrum when he went off. Hopefully he's back for next weekend.”
by Don-Deakin
Sunday, March 17 2013, 11:43AM
“Rupert needs to be available for next weekend. He is undoubtedly Gloucester Rugby's best tight head.”
by mattm74
Sunday, March 17 2013, 11:41AM
“Rupert Harden is the first choice of the Gloucester DoR. Now I know that the sad old irrelevant multi-named troll, akadau, likes to think he knows more than Nigel Davies about rugby but let me give him the facts... HE DOESN'T!”
by george_aston
Sunday, March 17 2013, 11:37AM
“The clueless sad old man and Gloucester Rugby hating multi-troll akadau has woken up just to demonstrate how clueless he is about rugby and Gloucester Rugby in particular.
#Rupert Harden is the number one and first choice tight head at Gloucester. 13 out of 17 Premiership starts proves the fact. Even the dimwitted troll akadau can surely do the maths.”