England star Kyle Sinckler is fit and ready to go head-to-head with Sale Sharks’ fearsome pack at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday after recovering from a series of niggles.
The tighthead prop has not played for his club since England’s Six Nations campaign, during which he was hampered by concussion and back issues, but provides his club with a big lift for their Heineken Champions Cup round-of-16 doubleheader against the Sharks.
Sinckler's last appearance for any side was off the bench in England's 25-13 defeat to France on March 19 when he won his 52nd cap, with a further six Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions.
Bears captain Steven Luatua, the former All Blacks flanker, has also made a rapid recovery from a dislocated wrist and is in contention for the huge cup games.
“Kyle has trained well this week and he’s on the track," bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said.
"Steven will be available for selection this week as well.
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Elsewhere in the squad, Lam confirmed star winger Siva Naulago, who has frustratingly missed the majority of the season through injury and suspension, will be unavailable for the European tie after injuring his knee in the defeat to Northampton Saints.
Fijian Naulago, who is the fastest man at the club when fit, missed the first half of the season after breaking his arm the week before the league was due to kick off. Since his return to full fitness, he has been suspended for five games as a result of two red cards for high tackles.
The good news for the Bears is a late decision will be made on loosehead prop Jake Woolmore who has been a constant in the Bristol squad in recent years, racking up more than 100 appearances since joining the club from Jersey Reds. He was pulled out of the matchday squad to face Northampton last weekend after feeling tightness during the warm-up.
Lam said: “Jake Woolmore is in contention for the weekend but Siva is getting tests and scans on his knee so he will be unavailable this weekend.”
In the pack, Lam confirmed second-row Joe Joyce was withdrawn early against Saints last weekend after feeling a slight strain and now appears to be a doubt for the weekend while Jake Heenan is going through the Return To Play head injury protocols after failing a HIA at Franklin’s Gardens.
Last month Bristol registered full back Richard Lane, prop Jonathan Benz-Salomon and scrum Max Green in their European squad meaning all three can be selected if required.
Benz-Salomon made his Premiership debut off the bench against Northampton after being drafted into the side late in the day.
On loan Bath player Green is unlikely to feature this weekend with Andy Uren making his injury return last weekend from a hamstring pull and England star Harry Randall set to start opposite South African World Cup winner Faf de Klerk.
Lane, who is on loan from Championship club Bedford Blues, could well find himself amongst the replacements having impressed on every occasion he has taken to the field and with likely full-back starter Charles Piutau rarely playing a full 80 minutes and Welsh international Ioan Lloyd sidelined with a broken cheekbone.
