Pat Lam will continue to evaluate Nathan Hughes’ loan to Bath on a game-by-game basis but the back row forward is expected to return to Bristol Bears, at the latest, by mid-April unless there is a change in the agreement.
Hughes was loaned out to Bears’ West Country rivals in January as had fallen out of favour in terms of Lam’s first XV and his only minutes were for the A-team and even a solitary appearance in the Championship for Hartpury.
The England international’s time at the Rec has enabled him to raise and maintain his match fitness to an optimum level, meaning that when he does return to Ashton Gate he’ll be match-ready. Although, such is the quirk of the fixture list with Hughes ineligible to face his parent club in either the Premiership or Premiership Cup and then Bath experiencing a bye week, he’s not played since February 26.
