Johan Ackermann waits on Franco Mostert’s availability for Gloucester amid dispute

Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann has placed no time frame on when he expects to see lock Franco Mostert play for the club.
The Cherry and Whites are waiting on World Rugby giving official clearance for the Springboks international to be available for selection, after the world governing body was called to intervene in a dispute between the Premiership club and Super Rugby outfit Lions.
The South African province has made a complaint citing ‘irregular player movement' after Gloucester wrapped up a deal for Mostert in May.
The Lions claim the approach for the 27-year-old was made while still under contract and chief executive Rudolf Straeuli is intent on keeping the player at Ellis Park, stating he ‘must honour his contract' with the Johannesburg side.
But providing an update on the saga on Tuesday, Ackermann insisted Gloucester had a contract with the player and that common sense should prevail.
“Franco has now joined us. He's in Gloucester, he's met the squad, he's here.
“We're excited to have him here. He's been through a long Super Rugby and a long Test series back home with The Championship and also now in Europe,” Ackermann told Gloucestershire Live.
“I just know that the whole thing is being put to World Rugby to make a decision and hopefully it will be one that the player believes will also be taken into account.
“I think they know the urgency about it.
“We don't want to keep a player without work and also we're keen to get him involved here so hopefully this week or somewhere in the near future it will be resolved because it's an ongoing thing.
“David (Humphreys, Gloucester director of rugby), Steve (Vaughan, chief executive), the club, World Rugby is involved with it now so hopefully common sense will prevail.”
Mostert's contract with the West Country club started on November 1, but the Springboks autumn schedule means he has only just joined up with his Gloucester teammates.
High-profile South African stars Ruan Dreyer, Ruan Ackermann and Jaco Kriel have all completed the switch from Ellis Park to Kingsholm over the past 16 months.
Ackermann's side welcome Worcester Warriors in the Premiership on Saturday, looking to cement their credentials as a team destined for the play-offs.