Simpson-Daniel blow

The Cherry & Whites are currently second in Pool One, having claimed victories over Mont de Marsan and Bordeaux-Begles.

But they will have to do without Simpson-Daniel for the remainder of the group stages after their jet-heeled wing was told he required shoulder surgery.

"There was damage to his shoulder and that has been repaired," said Gloucester director of rugby Nigel Davies.

"And that will keep him away from action for about three to four months so that's a blow to us especially the way he's been playing.

"He's already on the way to recovery of course in terms of rehab, but it's going to be a pretty lengthy process.

"It was an innocuous incident, and at first it didn't seem very much.

"He hasn't been able to train with it, and he had to have an exploratory operation - that led to a couple of issues that needed sorting.

"It will come back fully and he will be fully fit in the next three to four months, but it takes him out of the equation for that period.

"He just picked it up doing some pad work in training really, and we've had very few injuries in training this year."

The veteran wing has been in red-hot form for the West Country giants and has twice touched down this season.

But Johnny May is nearing a return to action following a knee ligament injury and Shane Monahan, Rob Cook and Martyn Thomas have all hit impressive form.

"Sinbad's been in excellent form in fairness, he had a good pre-season, he was looking fresh and playing exceptionally well, and it's a blow for him as well as us," added Davies.

"We're hugely disappointed because he's been a big part of what we've been so far.

"Now it falls to the next guys to come in and fight hard to make the same kind of impact that Sinbad has for us so far this season.

"We've played without James on a couple of occasions and we've been able to do that, and I've every confidence in the guys who will be stepping up."