The Bristol Bears pack will receive a significant boost this weekend against London Irish with Kyle Sinckler, Ellis Genge and Joe Joyce all in contention to return to the starting XV after long lay-offs.
England front row pairing Sinckler (groin) and Genge (birth of his second child) haven’t played for over a month but both have trained this week and are raring to go after kicking their heels on the sidelines.
Joyce’s last Premiership appearance was on October 29 but the Bristolian should return to the teamsheet on Sunday with temporary injury cover Elliott Stooke this week signing for Montpellier. Speaking on Thursday, director of rugby Pat Lam revealed that Stooke’s arrival in early December and subsequent departure was specifically timed to coincide with the period of time Joyce will be out.
“He’s excited,” Lam said of Genge, with his partner Meg giving birth to a daughter. “He was tied up with England earlier this week with Kyle but both of them are back, trained well yesterday and are in the frame for this week.
“Elliott Stooke was on a short-term thing, he’s now left which we purposely timed for Joe Joyce so he comes back in. Elliott was great, he came in and did a job for us; really helped us when we were struggling in the second row but it’s good to have Joycey back.
“The timing of the guys’ returning; you see the difference with Steven Luatua, who came back after a long break, also Semi Radradra - rugby players don’t like being out for a long time, they don’t like watching rugby.
“Injuries are character-building but it also allows excitement to come back into their game, so I expect the same from Ellis and Kyle. Both of them haven’t played for a while so we should see a lot of enthusiasm and excitement.”
Elsewhere in the team, winger Toby Fricker could make his long-awaited return having been absent since the defeat to Exeter Chiefs on October 7, having only just returned from injury for that game, while utility back Rich Lane will undergo a late fitness test.
Lam has confirmed that Andy Uren is fine to play after initial fears he sustained a knock in the victory over Harlequins on December 27, while fellow scrum half Harry Randall should be back for next week’s European Challenge Cup clash against Zebre, along with winger Siva Naulago.
“There’s a few coming back now,” Lam added. “Toby Fricker comes back into the frame, Harry Randall’s not too far away, Siva Naulago’s not too far away, which is pleasing and just adds to the competition.”
The Bears have been afforded a break due to the cancellation of their intended New Year’s Day clash against Wasps at Ashton Gate. On the one hand, the absence of that game has left a hole in the Bears finances - slightly offset by the visit of South Africa in November - but it allowed the squad to take a pause in the campaign, with many going on holiday to recharge the batteries ahead of the final 10 games of the Premiership season plus the European campaign.
“We took a hit on it but the staff and players finally got a break,” Lam said. “If you look back at it, financially it probably wasn’t great for the club but break-wise it’s been superb. Everybody came back - a lot of people went overseas, some around the country visiting family - and you can see the difference. There was certainly a real spring in the step in training this week.”
