Winger Toby Fricker has re-joined Bristol Bears with immediate effect as short-term injury cover the club have confirmed.
Fricker, 29, returns to Ashton Gate having made 32 appearances for the club before departing at the end of the 2022/23 season, scoring 12 tries.
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Welshman Fricker has been playing in the MLR for the New England Free Jacks since leaving Bristol and was recently capped by the USA. The versatile back three player has signed for the Bears on a three-month deal following injuries to Noah Heward and Siva Naulago. Heward is not expected to return from a hamstring injury until the New Year while Naulago will be sidelined for at least a couple of months following surgery on the fractured cheekbone injury he suffered in the 44-41 defeat to Gloucester in Round Two of the Gallagher Premiership.
Bristol director of rugby, Pat Lam, said: “With long-term injuries in our back three to Siva and Noah, it’s great to be able to bring in a player of Toby’s quality and experience on a three-month deal.
“Toby knows our game and culture well having spent four seasons here and he’ll provide strong cover across the back three during this period.”
Lam is also without the versatile Fijian international Kalaveti Ravouvou who is currently out following surgery on a shoulder injury he suffered in pre-season. That leaves the Bears with just Max Malins, Rich Lane, Gabriel Ibitoye, Jack Bates and Deago Bailey as the club’s fit and available senior options in the three-quarters.