Vainikolo heads home

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Last updated: 4th January 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Vainikolo heads home

Vainikolo: Has returned to New Zealand

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Lesley Vainikolo has been ruled out of Gloucester's clash with Bath on Friday after returning to New Zealand because of a "serious family problem".

The former Bradford Bulls RL winger had only just returned to action at Kingsholm following the death of his brother last month.

However he has now flown back to New Zealand meaning he will miss the visit to Bath, along with the illness-struck James Simpson-Daniel.

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan said: "James reported this morning that he was really not very well at all, and last night we were informed of a serious family problem in New Zealand that Lesley needed to attend urgently.

"Naturally, our thoughts are with him. We will give him as much time as he needs and support him on his return.

"Until that happens, we will be making no further comment."

With both wingers ruled out of the west country derby, Ryan has called James Bailey and Leon Lloyd into his starting XV, with Mark Foster coming in onto the bench.

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