Bristol Bears have ready-made replacements for Saracens duo Ben Earl and Max Malins according to director of rugby Pat Lam.
Replacing the England internationals who spent a season and a half on loan at Bristol is certainly going to be no easy task with the pair of dynamic players two of the most explosive attacking threats in the game.
Ironically they both look likely to be in the Saracens’ starting line-up at Ashton Gate come the opening day of the season when the newly-promoted side kick-off the 2021/22 campaign against last season’s table-toppers.
Malins played fly-half, full-back and on the wing for Bristol while making his senior England debut in the Autumn and his versatility will be a big loss for Lam, especially at fly-half.
The Bears have world-class options in each of those three positions, with Charles Piutau at the back, Siva Naulago on the flank and Callum Sheedy at standoff.
But Malins’ departure certainly lessens the impact of the Bears’ bench unless someone steps into his shoes, with 20-year-old Lloyd perhaps the key man needed to step up to the next level for his club despite having already become a senior Welsh international and named Premiership Rugby's Discovery of the Season [best young player] in 2020/21.
Lloyd was called up to train with the senior Welsh squad again this summer but did not make a matchday squad as the national side took on the USA and Argentina.
Discussing the versatile back, Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam said: "I was pleased Ioan was involved with the Wales camp this summer [even though he didn't play a Test]. As I said to Ioan, imagine how many 19-year-olds would love to be in his shoes.
"It is not just about playing, Ioan is there to learn.
"I keep saying, Ioan has got a long way to go. There is no doubt he has got talent, there is no doubt he has got better and improved but he is certainly not the finished article.
"Going into that camp and rubbing shoulders and learning is all part of his development going through.
"We have seen too many brilliant players thrown in and then spat out the other end, so I was pleased he was involved. Of course, I would have liked to see him play but you are better to be involved in that camp than not at all.
"Ioan is no different to other players, I expect everyone [at Bristol Bears] to have a big year.
"There are a lot of options at full-back and I want everyone to step up and be better."
In the pack, Lam is backing 22-year-old Fitz Harding to continue his stunning rise through the ranks to help ease the blow of Earl’s return to Saracens.
Lam said: “Fitz Harding is someone who showed us what we believed he could do.
“I believe he is going to be a player that can play in all three positions across the backrow and has the determination and focus to really make a good fist of this.
“I think personally his best position is probably going to be number eight," Lam said. And the Bears boss should know as one of best number eights to have pulled on the jersey during his illustrious playing days. He continued: "But Fitz can play six and seven which is really good at this stage of his career.
“When you think about the qualities of Ben Earl who could play across the backrow - Fitzy is a natural who could go into that role as well."
Lam also revealed he is expecting Mitch Eadie to put down a claim for a regular spot in the backrow having disappointed on his return to his boyhood club from a three-year spell at Northampton Saints.
Eadie made just one start for Bristol during the 2020/21 season, with a further two appearances off the bench.
Lam said: “In the backrow you have got Nathan Hughes and Mitch Eadie as options at eight.
“I think it is fair to say for Mitch that sometimes when you come back to where you were before it is about adjusting back to things because things are slightly different to how they were last time.
“He has got the bit between his teeth and we gave him some key things we wanted to do.
"He has come back and is keen to contest the number eight jersey, so we have got Nathan, Mitch and Fitzy.
“At seven, Jake Heenan was my number one choice seven for many years [at Connacht] so he will challenge Dan Thomas for that openside role; they are both in a great place.
“Bringing Sam Jeffires back [from a two-year injury-enforced hiatus] gives us options at six with Steven Luatua and Chris Vui can go into there as well.
“I think James Dunn is someone who was niggled with injuries but is another local boy and hopefully this could be his season [to breakout].”
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