Bristol Bears may have picked up five new injury concerns from their 18-17 victory over Gloucester Rugby on Friday night, but post match Pat Lam revealed the club’s talismanic captain is set to return next weekend.
Former All Black flanker Steven Luatua dropped out of Bristol’s match day squad in the warm-up of their 20-13 defeat to Sale Sharks last week after picking up a calf injury
The Bristol captain missed the bruising encounter at Kingsholm in Round Nine of the Gallagher Premiership, which saw number eight Nathan Hughes, centre Siale Piutua, hooker Bryan Bryne, prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and winger Henry Purdy all suffer additional knocks.
In his absence prop John Afoa captained the Bears against his former employers.
With star centre Semi Radradra also sidelined for a couple of months to allow a knee injury to fully recover, and Callum Sheedy, Kyle Sinckler, Max Malins and Ben Earl on Six Nations duty, the Bears are looking a little lite of their stardust.
Lam said: “All of us coaches worry about injuries, it is the last thing you need because it takes its toll on the squad.
“There are a few players out but there are a few coming back. Stevie is coming back, he should be back next week which will make a big difference, certainly around the control and making the right decisions on the pitch.”
Bristol, who remain top of the table thanks to their victory over the Cherry and Whites, head to London Irish’s new Brentford Community Stadium in Round 10 of the Gallagher Premiership.
