Pete Buxton could make Gloucester return to take on Bath Rugby

When Alasdair Strokosch clutched his hand in Scotland’s defensive line, Carl Hogg had his own hands firmly burying his head.

Strokosch slumped out of Scotland’s Six Nations clash with Wales on Sunday with a broken hand, leaving Gloucester coach Hogg stunned in front of the TV.

Pete Buxton could be back to take on Bath Rugby

It was another addition to the list of Cherry and Whites walking wounded back-rowers.

With Andy Hazell, Gareth Evans, Luke Narraway and Brett Deacon all sidelined, the last thing Gloucester needed was injury to another loose forward.

If Hogg assumed the classic pose of despair at the weekend’s close though, there was reason to puff out the chest again – just a little – at the start of the week.

Gloucester stalwart Pete Buxton could well be back fit in time for tomorrow’s West Country derby at Bath.

The 33-year-old suffered an inflamed elbow that kept him out of last week’s 27-24 Northampton victory at the last minute.

But now he is back to fitness and his return definitely tempers the loss of Strokosch.

Gloucester’s Six Nations contingent are back available for club action, with no international matches this weekend.

Couple the Buxton boost with last week’s impressive back-row showing from fit-again youngster Tom Savage, and Gloucester’s loose forward stocks look fairly healthy again all of a sudden.

Hogg backed Savage to sustain his high impact after recovering from knee surgery, while he also hailed Matt Cox for hitting top form.

He explained: “Sitting watching the test match on Sunday when I saw Alasdair go down I thought, ‘Oh no, not another one’, but that’s part and parcel of the sport.

“We’ve been going through a bit of a bumpy ride in the back-row at the moment but I’m sure the other guys will step up.

“Luke Narraway and Brett Deacon will be another week away, but hopefully we could have Pete Buxton back this weekend, and that’s a definite boost.

“Bucko’s the ultimate professional, he puts his hand up week-in, week-out, he grits his teeth, gets on with it and he produces a very consistent level time after time.

“His game stacks up every week, and he’s got bags of experience.

“He’s been down to The Rec plenty of times, he knows the drill down there and knows exactly what we’ll get.

“So having that experience there could be a big boost.

“Tom Savage has stepped up, and Matt Cox has really hit form as well, and that’s pretty timely.

“Tom’s come through and at the start of the season he played a number of games at second row and played very well.

“He’s got his opportunity through some injuries round that back-row position now, having come back from injury himself.

“And I thought he played very well last Saturday against Northampton in a very physical contest.

“He’s certainly not shy of physicality and endeavour, so he’s definitely stepped well this year.

“We’ve got a young group emerging in the pack, and while the focus has been on a lot of the young backs, there’s also a lot of talented forwards developing too.

“Rupert Harden, Darren Dawidiuk and Tom Savage are all progressing very well.

“And there’s others in behind that too.”

Hogg said whatever the injury situation, Gloucester will always get on with the job – and trust in the men stepping into big roles.

He added: “Guys like Savage and Gareth Evans are examples of the fact that everyone’s got to start somewhere, but when they step in we’ve got confidence in them, otherwise we wouldn’t select them.

"Injuries are just part and parcel of rugby, so whatever the situation we just roll up our sleeves, and sometimes it offers a good chance for someone else to show what they’re about in any case.”