The 18 players and 227 caps of international…

The 18 players and 227 caps of international experience unavailable to injury hit Bristol Bears

Bristol Bears have nine internationals and 227 caps worth of international experience currently unavailable through a combination of injuries Six Nations call-ups.

The Bears came unstuck on Sunday away at London Irish as Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam was forced to withdraw some of his most experienced players, former All Black trio John Afoa, Steven Luatua and Charles Piutau, to keep them fresh and available for the unrelenting schedule, with the regular league season only approaching the halfway point this weekend.

When Lam was asked about taking off Afoa at half time he replied: "John is a legend, but don't forget he is 37."

With less experienced men on the park and London Irish releasing a host of big name former international players off the bench, the Exiles came back from being 13-31 down at half time to draw 34-34 at the Brentford Community Stadium.

And Lam looks to be facing significant selection issues ahead of this weekend’s home game against Leicester Tigers in Round 11 of the Gallagher Premiership as well with 18 players currently unavailable from the last update provided by the club.

Eighteen from a first team squad of 42, with a further 12 in the integrated academy including Ioan Lloyd, George Kloska and Fitz Harding who have all been regularly involved.

Amongst the unavailable players are two international captains in the form of Fijian skipper Semi Radradra [knee] and former Tonga captain Siale Piutau [shoulder] and with the third round of the Six Nations taking place Kyle Sinckler, Max Malins and Ben Earl are away with England and Callum Sheedy with Wales.

To make matters worse, uncapped centre Sam Bedlow has been called before an RFU independent disciplinary board tonight for his tip tackle on Theo Brophy-Clews in the second minute of the match contrary to World Rugby Law 9.18.

At the time referee Karl Dickson and his officiating team deemed it a yellow card offence as the Exiles centre landed on the top of back but citing officer Nick Wood has called up the Bristol man deeming the incident a red card offence.

Pat Lam will speak to the press on Wednesday morning and provide a more detailed injury update on the squad, with lock Dave Attwood dropping out late in the day on Sunday having been named in the starting side and scrum half Harry Randall returning from England with an ankle injury.

For now here is a look at the scarily good unavailable Bristol Bears XV, with just Chris Cook shoehorned in out of his regular position: