It wasn't so much what they said, as what they didn’t say, that fuelled further speculation that Lions coach Johan Ackermann will go to Gloucester this year.

The Lions yesterday remained silent on the subject ahead of t o m o r r ow ’s Super rugby clash against the Sharks at Ellis Park. Management, understandably, did not want to create any distractions ahead of the big derby which has so far generated about 35 000 in ticket sales.

Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli insisted yesterday that the matter would only be addressed publicly after the Sharks game. That means either tomorrow night or on Monday.

Their reticence to discuss the matter could be interpreted as an attempt to stage-manage news of the coach’s departure. If Ackermann was staying they could have said so with little fuss yesterday.

Gloucester, meanwhile, have been warned they could be thrown out of European competition if there is any suspicion of unfair collusion should Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad become a shareholder, Gloucestershirelive reported yesterday.

Altrad owns Montpellier, the club Jake White has been coaching, but will be leaving at the end of the season. The France-based billionaire is still waiting to be granted permission to make a significant investment in Gloucester from European Professional Club Rugby, which hinges on the approval of Premiership Rugby.