GLOUCESTER director of rugby David Humphreys says he has every confidence that youngsters Gareth Evans and Ross Moriarty can fill the number eight void caused by the horrific injury to Dursley ace Ben Morgan a fortnight ago.

Evans, 23, and Moriarty, 20, will be the men to fill Morgan’s boots in the next four months, which will include European Challenge Cup, Aviva Premiership and LV= Cup games.

That is a fixture list of at least 14 matches and more if Gloucester progress in the LV= or the Challenge Cup.

But Humphreys has no doubt that the two young number eights can cope in the forthcoming months.

Morgan is out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg in the second-half of Gloucester’s 24-23 victory over Saracens in the Premiership a fortnight ago.

That break needed surgery, but he should be back in time to put his hand up for England’s World Cup squad, although his fitness will be a major cause for concern to national head coach Stuart Lancaster.

For now, Humphreys is happy to have Evans and Moriarty to cover for Morgan. The Gloucester boss said: “We are very fortunate to have strength in depth around our back row. If you look at that area, Gareth has proved in the last 18 months that he is a stand-out performer at Aviva Premiership level.

“Also at the start of the year, Ross has done very well. So I have absolutely no concerns around the depth of players and performances we produce when required.

“Losing Ben, who is an England international, would be a blow to any team, but we are fortunate that we have got so many different options. We are disappointed for Ben.”