Polledri to go under the knife

Gloucester and Italy flanker Jake Polledri will require surgery after the injury he sustained in the Autumn Nations Cup opening round against Scotland this past weekend.

According to a report in bbc.co.uk, Polledri returned to his club to seek further medical advice and received less than ideal news.

"He won't be back in action sadly for the next couple of months," Gloucester head coach George Skivington said.

"The full extent is still unclear but he will have to have some surgery."

As far as Gloucester is concerned, the injury comes at one of the worst possible times as the 2020-21 Premiership kicks off this weekend and they will thus not enjoy the significant service Polledri provides as they look to begin their campaign strongly.

The Cherry & Whites have named flanker Lewis Ludlow as their new captain.

"Jake will be sorely missed," Ludlow said. "It's a blow to lose someone of his quality, but we wish him all the best in his recovery and know he'll come back hungry and strong."