Bristol Bears head into 2021 with the tantalising prospect of putting out arguably their most dangerous backline ever.
After moving second in the Gallagher Premiership with a 27-19 away win at Harlequins on Saturday, Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam revealed former All Black full-back Charles Piutau and Australian international winger Luke Morahan are both on the verge of a return from Achilles injuries which has seen them sidelined for several months.
Despite their absence this season the Bears have won three out of four games in the Gallagher Premiership and are still alive in the European Heineken Champions Cup after beating Connacht 27-18 away in Galway last weekend.
But with qualification to the quarter-finals in Europe likely to hinge on an away win at ASM Clermont Auvergne, having the likes of Charles Piutau back fit after Fijian captain Semi Radradra made his first start of the season against Harlequins having overcome a dead leg sustained on international duty is a major boost.
Piutau’s return is also timely with his outstanding stand-in Max Malins picking up an injury in the win at the Twickenham Stoop which forced a reshuffle in the backline and saw Welsh international Ioan Lloyd move from the wing to his more accustomed position at the back.
Samoan international lock Chris Vui is also hot on the heels of the Bears’ star backs of making his return from a hand injury sustained against Wasps on the opening day of the 2020/21 season.
With Newcastle Falcons next at Ashton Gate on New Year’s Day and then a trip to champions Exeter Chiefs before back-to-back games in Europe, Lam said: “We are in a good place. I think Charles Piutau and Luke Morahan should be ready to go next week, Chris Vui isn’t too far away so we are starting to bring guys back.
“The boys who have been here since the start with the short turnaround from last season have done a great job but we are starting to get more and more depth and be able to give guys breaks so we are pleased where we are but that first half showed we still have a bit of work to do.”
England internationals Ben Earl and Kyle Sinckler missed the game at the weekend as they were given the first week of their mandatory two week break enshrined by Premiership Rugby’s agreement with the RFU for EPS players.
The timing of their break means both men will be back for the trip to Sandy Park to face Exeter Chiefs.
Lam admitted there were some tough words at half time on Boxing Day after a disjointed and unstructured first half display against Harlequins which saw them trail 9-5 at the interval.
Lam said: "I just opened the door that went out to the bus and said ‘There are two doors you can choose’.
“‘If you’re going to continue playing like that, not as the Bears but just play as individuals, then just step on to the bus.
“‘But if you want to go back out there, go back out there and play as the Bears’, because we were woeful for the first 40 minutes.
“The opportunities were definitely there, but we had to do it as a group, so we had to go back out there, flick the switch and change the mindset and the boys started to turn it on and play as one team.
“These guys are a good side, but that was a good lesson to us and we still won the game, with five points, at a place where I haven’t won with Bristol.
“To get five points here is a massive effort.”
The Bears responded with Harry Randall, Steven Luatua and Niyi Adeolokun crossing the whitewash to add to Dan Thomas' first half try.
