Bristol Bears are set to be boosted by the return of England international duo Ellis Genge and Harry Randall for Sunday’s seismic Champions Cup clash with Irish giants Leinster.
Both men were rested for the Bears’ impressive 48-24 victory away at Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership last weekend as per the clubs’ agreement with the RFU to ensure England players are not over-worked.
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Bristol will also be boosted by the availability of star hooker Gabriel Oghre who has shaken off a knock that forced him off the pitch in the first half at the Stoop. Oghre toured with England to Australia this summer without getting capped but started for England A in their win against Australia A last month and has been in barnstorming form in club colours so far this season. Once again he and Harry Thacker will provide a high-quality one-two combo covering hooker. Bristol director of rugby said: “There is real competition there between those two, that is what I want for every position. Whichever way round they start, I am blessed with two very good hookers.”
Lam continued: “We have not got anyone coming back from injury this week, there are still plenty of boys on the injury list. Obviously, we have got Ellis Genge and Harry Randall back from their rest.”
Bristol head into the game this weekend without George Kloska to call upon after the tighthead prop picked up a minor back injury that he is expected to return from soon. Max Lahiff looks set to pack down in the number three jersey on Sunday with summer signing Lovejoy Chawatama on the replacements bench having been forced to bide his time to break into the side since arriving from Harlequins.
Lam said: “It was great to have Lovejoy back after having an injury when he first got here. He has got himself up to speed with our game now and with his conditioning. He has got three games under his belt, two in the Prem and one against Australia and it is great to see him step up.”
Meanwhile Scottish international lock Jamie Hodgson arrived at the club this week on loan from Edinburgh Rugby to ease the strain on the Bears’ second row resources with injuries to frontline players like Joe Batley and Josh Caulfield, but he does not appear to have been registered with EPCR for the Champions Cup and Lam spoke about his role in training helping to raise the standards of competition.