Bristol Bears are set to be without second row Joe Joyce until the New Year after the regular captain of the club injured his shoulder against South Africa A.
Bristolian Joyce, who is leaving his hometown club at the end of the season to join United Rugby Championship side Connacht, hurt his shoulder while skippering the Bears to a famous 26-18 victory over South Africa A last week at Ashton Gate.
Discussing the diagnosis from the club’s medical team, Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: "Joe, unfortunately, picked up a shoulder injury but thankfully I don’t think he is going to need surgery. It could be about six weeks out at this stage, that is what I am told by the medical team.”
Six weeks sees Joyce miss Bristol’s next two Premiership games against Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers, then European Challenge Cup games against Perpignan and Zebre and then touch and go for the big game against Harlequins at Twickenham on December 27.
Last week fellow lock Ed Holmes was also on the club’s unavailable list but the Bears will be boosted this weekend heading to the AJ Bell Stadium by the return of Chris Vui who captained Samoa again during the Pacific Islanders’ Autumn international series.
He joins USA fly-half AJ MacGinty in returning from international duty to be available for selection this week. Lam said: “It has been pretty full on for the two of them but it has been pretty full playing in three Test matches. They are back in and available.
Chris is going to get thrown in a bit more because of the injury to Joe Joyce but AJ can come back and settle back into the group.
England frontrow stars Kyle Sinckler and Ellis Genge will both be back to face Leicester after this weekend’s final Test against South Africa with the latter having been named in World Rugby’s official 2022 dream team of the season, meaning the Bristolian is officially regarded as the best loosehead prop in the world.
Lam said: “For us it is straightforward. He has shown us why he is world-class.”
Elsewhere in the pack, Lam confirmed explosive number eight Fitz Harding has come through his head injury assessment well after taking a blow against South Africa. He may not feature against the Sharks but looks in line to be involved against Leicester a week later at Ashton Gate.
Lam also confirmed star full-back Charles Piutau and flanker Steven Luatua, both former All Blacks, are set to return this weekend from nose and calf injuries respectively, with Fijian centre Semi Radradra also on the verge of making his first appearance of the season either at Sale or against Tigers.
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