Bristol Bears will be without two of their best players in Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Steven Luatua for this weekend’s top of the table clash with Saracens, but director of rugby Pat Lam has confirmed he expects the pair to be back in action for Round Six of the Gallagher Premiership.
Both centre Janse van Rensburg and flanker Steven Luatua suffered knocks in last weekend’s stunning 40-35 comeback win away at Exeter Chiefs and will sit out Saturday’s clash at Ashton Gate, with Lam forced to turn to his homegrown talent as the injuries are mounting up. The Bears are without a stunning array of talent after just four rounds of league action, with the midfield particularly depleted with Kalaveti Ravouvou out with a shoulder injury and James Williams sidelined with a pectoral issue. Resources elsewhere in the backline are being tested with Max Malins and Siva Naulago also both out of action.
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The backrow is in a healthier position despite headline summer signing Viliame Mata yet to play as he recovers from a hamstring injury and the good news is the Bears medical department expects both Janse van Rensburg and Luatua to be available for the Round Six game against defending champions Northampton Saints on Friday, October 25, which will complete this block of league games before three weekends of Premiership Cup action, the game against Australia A and a fallow weekend.
Bears director of rugby Pat Lam said: “Playing Saracens is always a huge test and even more so off the back of their defeat last week, so we know they will be fully fired up to be at their best this weekend and we understand that challenge.
“But what excites me the most is the opportunity for further development for our young players to play in a game like this, where they will be tested. With the minor injuries to Steven (Luatua) and Benhard (Janse van Rensburg) it means deserved starts for Academy trio James Dun (on the blindside) and young Joe Jenkins and Jack Bates in the midfield.
“This is the reason we reduced the squad size to its lowest ever – to give these opportunities to our young players – and with 10 current or former Academy players in the matchday squad, we’re all excited for these players and their families.”
Bristol Bears’ full unavailable list:
Steele Barker, George Taylor, Steven Luatua, Viliame Mata, James Williams, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Noah Heward, Siva Naulago, Max Malins.