GLOUCESTER are hoping that skipper Greig Laidlaw will be back for the club before he leaves for France at the end of the season.

Laidlaw suffered ligament damaged in Scotland’s Six Nations clash with France last weekend and has been ruled out of the Championship.

However, after having surgery to correct the problem, the scrum-half may make enough of a recovery to turn out once more for the Cherry and Whites and say his farewell before going to join Clermont.

Gloucester defence coach Jonny Bell said: “He has just had surgery so we are just waiting to see what the timescale of his recovery is.

“We would be very hopeful that he will play in a Cherry and White shirt again before he leaves so we wish him a very speedy recovery.

“It has been a tough blow for him because he has been playing so well for his country and we want him back in our squad as soon as we can.”

And Gloucester have suffered another big injury upset with fly-half Billy Burns having to be taken to hospital during his side’s brilliant 31-23 home win over Saracens on Friday night when putting in a try-saving tackle to deny the champions a crucial score.

"We are waiting to hear (about Burns)," Bell said. "He is at hospital at the moment. I can't tell you any more than that."

And reflecting on the result, which followed a 34-9 drubbing by Leicester last weekend, Bell added: "We knew that we would get a response, and we delivered that response.

"When you play Saracens, the European and domestic champions, it is never ever going to be easy.

"What I was particularly proud of was the character shown by the players when the scoreline came back to 23-23. The balance could have tipped in Saracens' favour, but through some good tactical kicking, we got ourselves in a position to win that game.

"The players kept their composure in tense moments. It was huge for us."