Pat Lam is hoping to have potentially a quartet of star players back for Bristol Bears’ European Heineken Champions Cup game with Stade Francais on Saturday.
Having not played in Europe yet this season after two cancellations due to Covid complications, the Bears are looking to make a statement in their first Champions Cup outing of 2021/22 and ensure their place in the knockout stages come April.
"We are eager to get going. We have got some flash gear as well with our European jersey and we want to wear it and get out and play.
"We want to play. What I see these two weeks about is getting to the last 16 and then we park this competition.
"It is all about getting to April. Come April European rugby comes alive and that is when it really matters.
Hooker Harry Thacker failed a late fitness test on his shoulder ahead of last weekend’s victory over Sale Sharks on Friday and tighthead prop John Afoa left the field having come on as a replacement with a cut to his ear.
However, both players could feature this weekend.
Lam said: “We are hoping Harry will be available for selection this week and Jonny got a cut inside his ear and needed stitches so it is nothing that he isn’t used to, so again I am pretty hopeful that he will be available for selection as well."
Meanwhile, captain Steven Luatua could be back on the flank again this weekend having missed the last two games with a calf issue and former All Black full back Charles Piutau is in a race against time to return from a knock he took to his hip against Exeter Chiefs.
That said Australian international Luke Morahan made quite the impression in the full-back jersey in the 32-15 bonus point victory over Sale on Friday night, scoring a brace of tries, making 96m in attack, three clean breaks and beating four defenders in an outstanding display.
Discussing the star former All Black duo, Lam said: “We are hoping that they will be available. They have got knocks but we will see how they go towards the end of the week.”
