Second row continues to be a problem position for Bristol Bears as Pat Lam’s side battles through the relentless schedule of games at this time of year, but a pair of returning injured players are set to provide a boost going into this weekend’s make-or-break Champions Cup game at home to Benetton.
Bristol saw both their starting locks at the StoneX Stadium leave the pitch with injuries during Saturday’s 35-26 defeat to Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership, with Scottish international Jamie Hodgson departing after 25 minutes for Steele Barker – who made his delayed debut after on just returning from a preseason injury – and James Dun came off in the 58th minute for Jake Heenan, which saw number eight Bill Mata move into the row.
Talking to Bristol Live post-match on Saturday about the injury to Hodgson, who joined the Premiership side on a short-term contract from Edinburgh as injury cover for Josh Caulfield, Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: “Jamie doesn’t look too good. I think there is something wrong with his triceps. It looks like a muscle injury, maybe a muscle tear. He only had a few more weeks with us anyway.
“Hopefully Dunny is not too bad. He took a knock to his knee. Second row seems to be our problem position.”
However ahead of Sunday’s third group stage game in the Champions Cup, with the Bears currently sitting bottom of Pool 2 with zero match points after difficult ties against La Rochelle and Leinster so far, Lam provided a positive update on two men who were on last weekend’s extensive injury list. He said: “Joe Batley is back next week anyway and Joe Owen is back from his HIA so we are okay.”
Lam had initially hoped to have Batley back before Christmas from his fractured leg injury, but the big lock suffered a minor setback. However, he is now ready to return in the Bears’ hour of need.