Pat Lam issued reassurances over the injury status of one of his big name summer signings after Bristol Bears’ 40-3 victory over a dismal Leicester Tigers.
British and Irish Lions and England prop Kyle Sinckler who limped off the field in the second half just 10 minutes after replacing tighthead Max Lahiff.
Sinckler and his frontrow partner Yann Thomas dominated in the scrum against Facundo Gigena and Joe Heyes with the visiting pack shelling penalties at almost every scrum.
With Bristol securing their fourth try in the 45th minute to secure the bonus point required to take the race for the Premiership play-offs down to the final day of the regular season, Sinckler was replaced as Callum Sheedy lined up the conversion.
The 38-cap international tighthead prop’s work was done having started in the European Challenge Cup semi-final just six days earlier as well.
The problem was his replacement, Max Lahiff, lasted just six minutes before he limped off the pitch with his weight being supported by the two medical staff flanked either side of him.
So Sinckler returned but departed again nine minutes later, walking off in a laboured fashion. That saw Yann Thomas return and Jake Woolmore switch sides of the scrum - no mean feat.
After the match Bears director of rugby Pat Lam discussed Sinckler’s fitness. He said: “It’s not too bad.
“The main concern is Max Lahiff, a calf injury is not too great for a prop.
“The medics will get on it but Kyle will be fine, it was more bumps and bruises.”
Lam will certainly want Sinckler back for the big knockout games approaching with Jake Armstrong also sidelined having gone under the knife, leaving just John Afoa and loan signing Keiron Assiratti as specialist tighthead options otherwise.
Elsewhere full back Ioan Lloyd took a bang on his ankle while hooker Bryan Byrne also took a heavy knock before he was replaced by Harry Thacker.
Bristol crossed the line through Lloyd, Nathan Hughes, Byrne, Dan Thomas and Thacker, as well as a penalty try to secure the victory.
