Hooker Harry Thacker is in contention to feature against London Irish this weekend as Bristol Bears look to tick off one of their goals of finishing top of the table.
The Bears have already secured a home semi-final in the play-offs but still have plenty to play for in Round 22 of the Gallagher Premiership as they can still be knocked off top spot by Exeter Chiefs who host Sale Sharks needing a single match point to ensure their own semi-final at Sandy Park.
Securing top spot having been at the summit since January is about more than just pride for the Bears as it will mean a more favourable draw in the semi-finals, avoiding both Sale and Exeter, who have both beaten them this season.
Speaking after the controversial 26-23 victory over Leicester Tigers on Saturday, Lam confirmed star full-back Charles Piutau and hooker Harry Randall had been rested and rotated for the game with neither man injured.
Former All Black Piutau continues to be used sparingly due to his ongoing Achillies issue, while Thacker made his first appearance of the season off the bench away against Sale in Round 20 having finally recovered from surgery on his neck back in October.
But Thacker was not used against Leicester, with Will Capon and Jake Kerr earning a place in the 23-man squad..
Director of rugby Pat Lam explained: “It was a case or rotation.
“Harry had a big load last weekend [against Sale] and he has not had that scrummaging load through his injury and he has just come back.
“We knew the challenge we were going to face in the scrums against Leicester so it was not the ideal game for him on his way back.
“Certainly, we are racing against time, which is not on Harry’s side like it was last year.
“But he is there and ready to go and we are trying to improve everything for him and most importantly for the team.”
Harry Randall also made his first start since January on Saturday having suffered an ankle injury with England and then a shoulder injury on his return in the Heineken Champions Cup in April, and the scrum-half looked like he had never been away, scoring a stunning solo try.
Lam added: “It was great to get Harry back.
“Andy Uren has done a phenomenal job [covering scrum-half], he has taken a lot of the load.
“To have both of them available for next week, because there were no injuries - is great.
“I thought Harry did well and it is a real credit to our medical team, our athletic performance team, and our coaching team to get him up to speed to return to perform.
“We always talk about not just returning to play but returning to perform and he certainly did that and I am please we have both Harry and Andy available for next week.”
