Bristol Bears are set to be without star duo Charles Piutau and John Afoa for several weeks Pat Lam has confirmed today.
Full back Piutau injured his MCL knee ligaments in the final minute of the 31-18 defeat away at Leicester Tigers on Saturday to add injury to insult.
A high tackle from Jonny May broke the former All Black’s nose and then the England winger landed on him as Piutau looked to step which saw his knee buckle under up him.
Referee JP Doyle awarded a penalty at the time for the high tackle but there has been no citing by the RFU disciplinary committee.
Jordan Lay, who was yellow carded for a high tackle on Tigers full back Telusa Veainu has also escaped any further ban.
Prop Afoa fractured his rib in a maul 15 minutes into the match.
Speaking about the situation with two of his key men, Lam said: “Both Jonny and Charles have gone for scans today, I am expecting Jonny will be back around mid-February and Charles should be the end of February to mid-March.
“Once they have had their scans we will have more clarity and get the news out about exactly when they will be back, but that is what I expect.”
Looking at those time frames, 36 time All Black Afoa will likely miss three games with a potential return to face Northampton Saints on February 16 while Piutau looks set to be sidelined for around five matches with the trip to Bath on March 1 a potential return date.
With former Tonga captain Siale Piutau also sidelined with a long term knee injury and Jordan Crane yet to play a first team game this season having returned from a neck issue in recent weeks, the Bears now have a real dearth of experienced leaders to call upon.
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