29 November 2004
Gloucester's Chris Fortey was taken straight to hospital after he came off on a stretcher 20 minutes into the Kingsholm club's 24-14 win over Sale Sharks on Friday night.

The 29 year-old has fractured the lower end of the fibula in his right leg, and will stay in hospital over night (Friday). Fortey will undergo surgery on Saturday morning to stabilise the ankle area.

Commenting on www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com after the game director of rugby Nigel Melville said: "Our thoughts are with Four-o (Chris Fortey)"

Looking back at the 24-14 bonus point win over Sale, Melville added: "I thought the players were fantastic. With the constant injuries the players have got better each week. They're much stronger now.

"The bonus point was very important, and the moral and spirit was fantastic going into this game.

"We really got stuck in today, and the crowd played a big part in that, they got right behind the team.

"It's been hard for some of the players, we've pointed the finger at a few, but they've taken everything on board and just got better."

Sale director of rugby Phillipe Saint Andre got straight to the point after the game. Talking to www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com the Frenchman said: "Gloucester deserved to win. It was a mess for us out there. Gloucester showed they have a better squad than us."