Vainikolo back to fire up Gloucester

Lesley Vainikolo was on his way back to England yesterday after returning to New Zealand on compassionate leave following the sudden death of his father, Solomone.

The Tongan-born wing, who has been included in Brian Ashton's England squad for the Six Nations, was absent when Dean Ryan's side lost to Ospreys in a Swansea monsoon last weekend.

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But there is a strong chance he will return for the decisive Pool Two showdown with Ulster at Kingsholm on Sunday.

Marco Bortolami, Gloucester's Italian captain, said: "He is coming back either tonight or tomorrow and he should be okay to play at the weekend. It will be good to have him back."

Ryan will be hoping that the likely return of Vainikolo, who has scored nine tries in nine matches since his cross-code switch from Bradford Bulls, will re-ignite his team's challenge at home and in Europe.

Prior to the defeat against Ospreys, Gloucester, again without Vainikolo, lost 10-5 to Bath at a saturated Recreation Ground, suggesting that their threat is nullified when the ball is wet.

While the risk of further flooding has left all of Gloucestershire praying for the rain to stop, lock Bortolami admitted that all eyes will be on the skies on Sunday.

He said: "The weather played a big part last weekend because our rugby is based on movement, skills and a high speed game. When the weather isn't great we can't adapt too much but we've been working hard on that since we lost at Bath.

"We saw some improvements against the Ospreys and we just have to learn to play in those conditions. But we will be hoping for better weather this weekend so that we can put our best qualities on the pitch."

Despite the setbacks, Gloucester are convinced they will finish the job of securing a home quarter-final. Bortolami said: "We're still very confident about our chances in the Heineken Cup. Everything is in our hands."

Bath were forced to re-emphasise their ambitions for the future yesterday after officially conceding that captain Steve Borthwick would be joining Saracens at the end of the season.

While the England line-out specialist, who has won 32 Test caps, cited the need for a new challenge after a decade at The Rec, head coach Steve Meehan said: "Over the coming months, positive announcements will be made that will reassure fans we will continue to move in the right direction."

Saracens know they have secured a dynamic figure to partner All Black Chris Jack in the second row, with director of rugby Alan Gaffney saying: "Steve's ability in the set-piece and around the pitch means he will fit in well with the expansive style of rugby we are developing."

Former New Zealand internationals Xavier Rush and Ben Blair have signed new three-year contracts at Cardiff.