Akapusi Qera: Set to face England on Saturday

The 28-year-old open-side has won 26 caps for Fiji but had initially committed himself to Gloucester's fixtures rather than the autumn international programme.

However, the Fiji squad has been hit by injuries and they have now asked Qera to link up with them, although Gloucester are not expecting to lose him for too long.

Gloucester rugby director Nigel Davies said on Monday: "We received a request this morning from the Fijian management requesting Akapusi's services, as they have been hit by withdrawals in their build-up.

"Under the current IRB (International Rugby Board) regulations in these circumstances, we can't actually prevent a player's release, and we will obviously miss him because he has been in great form for us.

"However, we are of the understanding that this is just for the one match, so we look forward to him returning to the club very shortly and we wish him well in the meantime."

After squaring off with England, Fiji play Gloucester in a friendly three days later, before tackling an Ireland XV on 17 November.