Bristol Bears will be without their star fly-half AJ MacGinty for four months the club have confirmed with the USA international to undergo surgery on his knee.
MacGinty, 34, was one of 10 players the club confirmed have signed new contracts with the Bears, despite director of rugby Pat Lam signing Scotland international stand-off Tom Jordan ahead of the 2025/26 season. MacGinty, who has been in stunning form this season leading the league for points scored and try assists in 2024/25, injured his knee in last weekend’s 54-24 win over Leicester Tigers on Saturday, with academy product Sam Worsley drafted in to run the backline.
With the club’s second choice fly-half option Max Malins having ruptured his Achilles in training the week before Christmas, MacGinty’s absence leaves the Bears lacking in experienced options in the key playmaker position, although the return of Jimmy Williams from a pectoral injury this weekend provides some improved depth in that department.
The only good news for the Bears is the timing of the injury means the Bears will not be without their star stand-off for too many Premiership games with the club battling at the top of the table, as the league will shut down during the Six Nations period and with a couple of European windows in January and April. If his rehab goes to plan, MacGinty looks likely to miss six Premiership matches.
More to follow…