Pat Lam joked he’s had to physically hold Charles Piutau back in training this week due to the Bristol Bears star’s desire to be involved in the West Country derby against Bath at the Recreation Ground.
Piutau hasn’t played since December 9 due to a hamstring injury, in what has become an all-too familiar story of his time at Ashton Gate with sporadic and frustrating injuries, but has trained all week and is primed to return at full-back for Friday night’s game.
With his contract up in the summer, his future in England uncertain and seven regular season games remaining, not including the play-offs, plus whatever transpires in the European Challenge Cup, the opportunities to see Piutau in action for the Bears are decreasing and Lam is delighted to welcome him back to the fold.
“He was flying today, and flying on Monday. I had to try and hold him back,” Lam said. “He doesn’t like being injured when he is and when he does, he always comes back ahead of time. So when there’s an injury, if they tell me it’s six weeks or four weeks, I’m always thinking that’s five or three because he works hard. He’s buzzing to be available.”
Friday’s game opens up the chance of not only pairing marquee centre Semi Radradra and Charles Piutau for the first time in two months, but also bringing Siva Naulago into the equation to offer a tantalising triple threat in the back line.
Only twice has Lam been able to field the southern hemisphere trio and the last occasion was on January 9, 2021 at Sandy Park, as the Bears ran out 20-7 winners at Sandy Park.
The temptation is surely there for the Bears director of rugby, with Bristol to confirm their team at midday on Thursday, but he offered a potential hint at the make-up of his back three by volunteering wing Gabriel Ibitoye’s name in a question around the rare concept of starting with Naulago, Radradra and Piutau.
Ibitoye has started the Bears last three Premiership fixtures and looks set to keep his place against Bath, with Naulago on the opposite wing, Piutau at No15 and Radradra at outside centre.
“It was a long time before Siva and Semi played; Semi and Charles played but not Siva and Semi, which is what we wanted because they can talk Fijian,” Lam added. “I think they’ve been hanging out to play for a while so fingers crossed they can stay healthy and they finish this run-in together on the field.
“Would I have liked to see them more together? 100 per cent. But it’s a huge lift for the team.
“But the guy not to forget is Gabs. I’ve been really impressed with Gabs. His rugby intellect is very good. His knowledge of the game, his understanding and his communication; the quality of our back three is really good.
“Charles is the master of it, and when Charles was missing, Gabs took charge and now Noah Heward has come on and he’s really good. It’s such an important role, to have a really good understanding of the back three and talking it through. We’re really pleased with the threat that Semi, Siva, Charles and Gabs bring.”
Bears will be without second row Joe Batley after he sustained an ankle injury in last weekend’s win over Newcastle but the positive news is the 26-year-old’s absence is likely to be short term with confidence he could return against Northampton next Friday.
“It’s good news and bad news,” Lam said. “Bad news in that unfortunately he won’t be able to feature this week but good news in that he won’t be far away.
"He’s taken a little bit of banter because of the crutches and the way he was carried off but thankfully the knock to his ankle was more nerve so hopefully he could be back next week. Which is great.”
