Bristol Bears captain Steven Luatua is set to miss the start of the season with a calf injury sustained in training in a blow to Pat Lam’s side.
The former All Black flanker is a talisman for the Bears who have a markedly better win percentage with him in the side due to his impact on the game. But Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam admitted the 31-year-old, who was walking around in a protective moon boot, now looks set to miss the opening Premiership game against Bath on September 9.
Luatua endured an injury hit campaign in 2021/22 missing significant chunks of the season with a calf injury and then dislocated wrist.