Bristol Bears skipper Steven Luatua is set to be sidelined for at least 12 weeks with the calf strain he suffered in pre-season, Pat Lam has confirmed.
The former All Blacks flanker is aiming to return to action at the end of November to early December his director of rugby announced this morning. A philosophical Lam said: “It is what, it is. It is an opportunity for Stevie to get better and he still contributes off the field.
“It is pleasing that we have got Sam Jeffries who can play across the backrow, Jake Heenan can play across the backrow, having Sam Lewis on board is great, Chris Vui can jump into six as well and Dan Thomas is not too far off from his [ankle] niggles, plus having Magnus Bradbury is great. Guys will need to step up.”
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Bristol will also be without last weekend's man of the match Ellis Genge at Wasps on Saturday in Round Two of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership with Lam revealing in midweek he will be rested as per the club's agreement with England to be able to bring him back for the opening game of the league season. Genge is set to be available for club duty for Round Three against London Irish.
It is better news in terms of Welsh international back Ioan Lloyd who looks to be in contention to feature this weekend having been named on the club’s official unavailable list ahead of the 31-29 victory over Bath.
Lam said: “Ioan was sick last week so he was away from training and he didn’t make it back in time to be considered for selection.”
Twenty-one-year-old Lloyd is looking to make the inside centre position his own this season having been a jack of all trades since breaking into the Bears first team as a youngster, playing at fly-half, full-back, winger, centre and even scrum half.
Sam Bedlow started in the 12 jersey against Bath and looks to first choice there while outside centre Semi Radradra recovers from his knee surgery meaning Piers O'Conor is the first choice 13.
Lam said: “I am feeling very good about our options at 12.
“Sam Bedlow is someone we hold in very high regard, his issues are not being able to string a load of games together because of niggles and injuries so there has been a lot of work with the medical and S&C team to make Sam more robust, particularly around those niggles.
“We have had Sam lined up for a long time, he was here when I arrived and has come through the academy.
“Jimmy Williams has been class [since arriving from Hartpury this summer], he is tough, a real leader and has shown a real understanding in games, so again I am really pleased there.
“Ioan is someone we are trying at 12 and he has just had niggles in pre-season.
“Those three are good options, Piers O’Conor can play there as well and we have some good guys coming through the academy.
“It is just about keeping them all fit.”
Eclectic hooker Harry Thacker looks set to miss the trip to the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday having also sat out the game against Bath with ‘a niggle.’
Bryan Byrne, Will Capon and Jake Kerr will once again compete for the number two jersey with new signing Fred Davies also unavailable last weekend.
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- Bristol Bears chief Pat Lam rues lack of TMO as he questions two on-field decisions against Bath
- Ellis Genge stars in fairy tale homecoming as Bristol Bears beat Bath Rugby
