Redpath eyes Fijian Semi Tadulala for Gloucester

Former league star Semi Tadulala could sign for Gloucester Rugby next week – but only if he starts for Fiji against Romania on Saturday.

Head coach Bryan Redpath confirmed yesterday the ex-Bradford Bull has been training with the squad.

But work permit issues have prevented the centre or wing from signing a contract to solve Gloucester's problems in the backs.

However, if the 31-year-old plays for Fiji on Saturday – which would be his first union game – the work permit issue would be solved.

That would open up his way to Kingsholm if the money situation was right, with little room to manoeuvre under the salary cap, and provided the need for him in the squad was still deemed large enough, with a host of backs expected to return over the next two weeks.

If he plays for Fiji he would become available not just to Gloucester, but to the rest of the Guinness Premiership.

Redpath said: "I think he might be playing for Fiji this weekend which allows him to be involved in rugby union.

"We did target him because we knew we would be short around this time with internationals.

"But that decision will lie with the financial side of the club now we are getting people back. There's nothing written down to say he definitely has to come to Gloucester.

"He was linked with us and came and had a look around but at that stage he wasn't available.

"If Fiji play him he goes in the shop window for everyone else in the union world, not just Gloucester.

"It will be a board decision ultimately rather than one made by myself."

Redpath is also wary of Tadulala's lack of experience in union, although he did score two hat-tricks in his first eight games for Bradford.

"It's a difficult one, when you want to bring someone in who hasn't played a lot of union," Redpath said.

"We just have to wait and see what we have.

"We've got 13 outside backs in the whole squad which is not a huge number when it comes down to internationals and injuries. We were down to our last back last weekend."

Meanwhile, James Simpson-Daniel, Nicky Robinson and Olly Morgan, who pulled out at the eleventh hour against Leicester last week, are all available for the trip to Harlequins on Saturday.

Fiji have released Akapusi Qera and Scott Lawson is back from Scotland A duty to boost the forwards.

Prop Alasdair Dickinson, lock Alex Brown, number eight Luke Narraway and centre Mike Tindall are all expected to be back from injury in the next two weeks.

Returning from international duty next week are Alasdair Strokosch and Rory Lawson from Scotland, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu from Samoa and Apo Satala from Fiji.

That leaves only Marco Bortolami (shoulder) and Andy Hazell (hamstring) on the longer-term injury list. Both are expected back after Christmas, which is also when Olivier Azam's ban ends.