Gloucester boss George Skivington was left counting the price of a fourth successive Gallagher Prem defeat and extra worrying accidents following a 49-34 loss in opposition to Bristol at Kingsholm.
Gloucester had a double-figure harm depend earlier than kick-off, however then noticed Ollie Thorley carried off after simply 5 minutes earlier than his fellow wing Ben Loader and captain James Venter each suffered hamstring issues.
“I haven’t acquired an evidence for it,” rugby director Skivington mentioned.
“What’s your worst case? And it has occurred.
“Ollie appeared fairly unhealthy – I feel he knocked himself out. Ben Loader harm his hamstring, I don’t understand how badly. James Venter harm his hamstring.
“That’s sufficient, isn’t it? We’re as much as 19-20 gamers (sidelined) now. I actually haven’t acquired a solution. We’re in dire straits for numbers now, that’s for positive.
“We are going to take a look at ourselves, and it’s how we handle ourselves by this spell. Administration-wise it’s a headache, emotionally it’s a headache as a result of this isn’t the place we wished to be, 4 video games in.
“I thought the boys looked more connected than they have done the last few weeks, but with the injuries it is just challenging. What could go wrong is going wrong.
“The pressure is always on, but you just live under pressure whatever you are doing. It’s more working out what we are going to do and finding a solution – that is the real management challenge at the moment.
“Exeter away next Saturday, seriously depleted, we have got to work out a smart way of playing to try and get whatever we can out of that game.”
The west country derby clash produced 12 tries, but Bristol made it three wins out of four thanks to doubles from Gabriel Oghre and Kalaveti Ravouvou, whereas Fitz Harding, Viliame Mata and Sam Worsley additionally crossed, with Worsley including seven conversions for a 19-point haul.
Gloucester conjured 5 tries of their very own – Will Joseph, Matias Alemanno, Seb Blake, Josiah Edwards-Giraud and Venter crossing – with Ross Byrne kicking three conversions and a penalty.
However Skivington’s crew have been as soon as once more left questioning what may need been, as a successful contact continued to elude them.
Bristol’s absentees included Louis Rees-Zammit, Ellis Genge and a suspended Tom Jordan, and so they fielded just one member of the again division that began their Prem season opener in opposition to Leicester simply 19 days in the past.
Bristol rugby director Pat Lam mentioned: “I’m actually pleased with this group. We’re adjusting and adapting with gamers out and new gamers coming in. We now have reshaped the schedule.
“I’m blowing the whistle loads at coaching, which I don’t usually do, as a result of I don’t need any extra accidents. There are just a few boys in pink bibs, which implies don’t contact them.
“To get 5 factors right here in opposition to a harmful aspect was pleasing. I really feel for George as a result of he has had quite a lot of accidents as properly, and we each know what one another goes by.”
