Gloucester coach Johan Ackermann says lock Franco Mostert has joined the squad, but is awaiting clearance from World Rugby to play.

Mostert has been the subject of a contractual dispute between the Lions and Gloucester, after the Super Rugby franchise asked World Rugby to intervene on the grounds of irregular player movement.

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The 28-year-old has linked up with the Gloucester squad after returning from Springbok duty, but Ackermann told Gloucester Live he is still waiting for the go-ahead from rugby’s governing body.

‘Franco has now joined us. He’s in Gloucester, he’s met the squad, he’s here,’ Ackermann said. ‘We’re excited to have him here. He’s been through a long Super Rugby and a long Test series back home with the [Rugby] Championship and also now in Europe.

‘He’s played a lot of 80-minute games, so we’ll obviously have to manage him and see but we’re confident that he’s got a legal contract with us, and World Rugby will hopefully soon give us our clearance that we can register him and get back on the field.

‘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.’

Mostert, who is listed on the Gloucester website as a player, will become the sixth South African in their current squad should the move be approved, joining former Lions teammates Ruan Ackermann (currently injured) and Ruan Dreyer as well as recent debutant Jaco Kriel. Gerbrandt Grobler and Jaco Visagie are also at the club.

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