Star scrum half Harry Randall could make a remarkable early return to action this weekend as Bristol Bears travel to France to take on Bordeaux-Begles in the last 16 knockout rounds of the Heineken Champions Cup.
Randall, who injured his ankle while training with England during the Six Nations, is weeks ahead of schedule in his return from injury and in contention to play this weekend along with star full back Charles Piutau who has been rested for the last couple of rounds of Premiership action as he continues to nurse an on-going Achilles issue.
The return of the pair of key backs comes as welcome news following confirmation star flanker and captain Steven Luatua will likely miss the game with a knee injury sustained in a ruck early in the 35-33 comeback win over Harlequins on Saturday.
Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam said: “Charles is training which is good, Harry Randall is looking ahead of time so he has got a few more things to tick off but he was running around today which is good, modified training of course.
“He is an option as well.
“Those are the two main guys back this weekend.”
Bristolian Andy Uren has been doing a stellar job at scrum half in Randall’s absence, but the thought of reintroducing one of the deadliest one-two punch combinations at nine in club rugby is an exciting one for Bears fans.
Discussing Randall, Lam said: "It has been tough for him because when he went away with England he was flying, in the form of his life, we had just beaten Exeter and he got man of the match. He had the highlight of being named for England and he hasn't played since that day three months ago.
"He got injured playing for England and that was a big blow, he was hoping to get capped and that didn't happen.
"He took a few blows but that is what makes you stronger and he came back here and the RTP [Return To Play] group have worked hard on him.
"I always find guys with a positive attitude, when they are given a time frame out, they always beat the time 99 percent of the time.
"Harry was still meant to be two weeks away but he has put himself in contention for this week by the work he and the staff have done.
Meanwhile Lam provided some insight into how the Bears are dealing with Piutau’s injury on a week-to-week basis when he is being ‘rested.’
Lam said: “When he is ‘resting’ he is working with Rory Murray [head of medical] and Kev Geary [head of athletic performance] on his programme.
“They have got a clear programme for him, he is training pretty hard but he is not involved with us.
“It is about strengthening him so he can be involved in all the key games and get through the season.”
The Bears top try scorer this season in the Premiership, rugby league convert Siva Naulago, is also doubtful to face Bordeaux having been pulled out late in the day against Harlequins for Niyi Adeolokun after taking a blow in training.
But with Charles Piutau back, and his brother Siale also potentially involved having been on the verge of a return to action from a shoulder issue last weekend, the outstanding Luke Morahan - who made 163m in attack from full back against Quins - will likely move across to his more accustomed wing position.
Lam said: “Siva’s knee we are still looking at and Nathan Hughes wasn’t injured at the weekend, he has been training this week and is good to go.”
