Semi Radradra is hopeful of making at least one more appearance for Bristol Bears after a hamstring injury sustained against Clermont has put the rest of his season, and therefore the remainder of his time at the club, in doubt.
Radradra tweaked the tendon as he ran onto a pass from James Williams to score a try late in the first half of last Friday’s European Challenge Cup round-of-16 tie. Remarkably, the Fijian sprinted about 30 metres to score, all the time holding the back of his thigh as he was chased down by Irae Simone.
The 30-year-old left the field immediately and was replaced for the remainder of the tie by Ioan Lloyd as the Bears lost 33-26 to exit the competition. With just three regular season games remaining in the Premiership - Sale (H), Exeter Chiefs (A), Gloucester (H) - and the final fixture landing on May 6, it raises the question whether Bears fans will see him don the shirt again.
With his contract expiring, Radradra is leaving Ashton Gate this summer after three years, to join Top 14 side Lyon, along with superstar teammate Charles Piutau. However, speaking to The Rugby Pod, he indicated he could still play “one more game” for the Bears, which would presumably be the Gloucester match.
There is the potential of the Bears sneaking into the Premiership play-offs, which would allow for greater involvement, but that remains an outside shot at present.
“Good news, we had a scan after the game so hopefully I can play one more game before I head to France,” Radradra said. “I’ve got one more game in me. Not too bad, not too bad.”
The Bears bowed out in Europe as they were unable to cross the tryline in the second half but it was a performance punctuated by individual errors as Magnus Bradbury’s drop from the restart immediately after Radradra’s try - with the Fijian off the field - led to Clermont scoring again and taking a half-time lead they never relinquished.
Siva Naulago then misjudged Damian Penaud’s kick and chase, and instead of dotting the ball down as he thought it would roll over the dead-ball line, it allowed the French winger to steal in and get the vital touch to give the Bears too much to do in the final 10 minutes. Such basic errors have blighted Bristol’s campaign, holding them back in the Premiership and now ending their involvement in Europe.
“Everyone was gutted. It was very quiet after the game,” Radradra added. “We thought it was a good chance for us to be in the quarters because we knew there were still two trophies alive to us. But we came out against a strong Clermont team and it’s the same mistakes that have been happening every week now - giving too many penalties away, stuff like that, so it cost us in the game.”
