Bristol Bears will be without three of their biggest stars on Friday night when play-off chasing Gloucester Rugby come to Ashton Gate in Round 23 of the 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership.
Director of rugby Pat Lam has confirmed centre Semi Radradra, full-back Charles Piutau and England international tighthead Kyle Sinckler will all miss the West Country derby match with the Cherry and Whites.
Radradra’s season is over with the Fijian international captain having an operation on his knee this week to get him back for the start of next season with another year on his contract at Bristol.
Lam said: “Semi is having knee surgery this week, that is season-ending for him but it gives him a good chance to rehab, recoup and be ready for the start of next season which is a positive for him."
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Elsewhere in the backline, fellow Fijian Siva Naulago has also undergone surgery on his knee today.
The winger jarred his knee against Northampton Saints and will now target a return to action for the 2022/23 season.
In a further blow, Lam also confirmed Bristol will also be without their second marquee player Piutau this weekend.
He said: “Unfortunately Charles trained on Monday but had a slight groin strain so he has been ruled out this weekend as well.”
Full back Rich Lane, who made his European debut for the Bears on Friday night having joined the club on loan from Bedford Blues has also been ruled out for at least six weeks after breaking a bone in his foot early in the match against Sale.
Lam said: “He showed what a tough fella he is at the weekend, about seven minutes into the game Arron Reed went to step and landed right on his foot and broke his third bone in his foot.
“What a trooper he was though, he went right to half time and just limped around and I think he made a try-saving tackle when Sale poked their nose through. We thought it was just bruising and he knew he was only doing 40 minutes anyway with Charles coming on at half time, so he just guts it out.
“You would never have known the extent of it and then we got the scans with the clean break.
“He is tough and that says a lot of his character.”
In the pack, there is mixed news ahead of Friday night with British and Irish Lions prop Kyle Sinckler being stood down to try and straighten out longstanding back problems but Samoan international captain Chris Vui back following a HIA at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Lam explained: “Chris has been going through the concussion protocols following a knock in the first Sale game. He didn’t pass them in time for the weekend but is all clear now and in contention for Friday night.
“Kyle has had niggles since the Six Nations so he will take a bit of time to try and clear around his back and we will work closely with the England medical team on that one.”
