Lesley Vainikolo says he was relieved to be back on the pitch after a traumatic period off it.
Winger relieved to be back in action for Cherry and Whites
Gloucester's Lesley Vainikolo says he was relieved to be back on the pitch after a traumatic period off it.
The Tongan-born winger lost his brother Kava to a heart attack in December and his father Solomone, who suffered from asthma, at the start of January.
Each time he has made the round trip to New Zealand to be with his family, returning two weeks later and going straight back into the Gloucester team.
Vainikolo was in superb form in his side's 29-21 win over Ulster, setting up the try for Iain Balshaw which secured a bonus point and home advantage in the quarter-finals.
"I just wanted to get back to work and get my head straight and take my mind off things," said Vainikolo, a committed Christian who reads a passage from the bible his mother gave him before every game.
"I got to train on Friday and Saturday and it felt good to get back on the rugby field.
Frustrations
"God is the one who gives and takes. I was just looking for the challenge and I wanted to get my frustrations out, out there."
Vainikolo's demeanour will have been keenly monitored by England head coach Brian Ashton, who has named the former New Zealand rugby league international in his 32-man squad for the RBS 6 Nations.
His call-up came too late for Solomone to enjoy, but Vainikolo cannot wait to see his family name up in lights at Twickenham when England open their Six Nations campaign against Wales on February 2.
Vainikolo added: "When I got the call I went straight to my dad and told him before I told the rest of my family.
"It lifted the Vainikolo family spirit and was a bit of good news that my dad's name is going to be up there soon.
"I'm just taking life day by day and trying to get through the dark door I've gone through over the last couple of months.
"At the moment, Gloucester have given me the light to get through and England is an extra bonus."
Gloucester beat Ulster with a brace of tries for Akapusi Qera and one for each of Alasdair Strokosch, Balshaw and replacement back row Luke Narraway. Chris Paterson kicked two conversions.
Ulster, who could not qualify for the knockout stages, put in a spirited performance to take the game to the wire with Tommy Bowe scoring twice and Andrew Trimble once.
Paddy Wallace missed three penalties, which proved costly, but slotted a difficult conversion and his replacement Niall O'Connor added another.
