Bristol Bears could have a quartet of star players back from injury to bolster their squad for Saturday’s showdown with Gloucester Rugby for the final Champions Cup qualifying place.
The race for eighth couldn’t be tighter going into Round 24 of the Gallagher Premiership, with Bristol sat in the hot seat with 42 points, West Country rivals Bath also on 42 points in ninth and the Cherry and Whites a point behind in 10th. Bath face Saracens - who have nothing left to play for in this fixture - at the same time on Saturday.
Should both Bristol and Bath win and finish on the same number of points, league position is then decided by games won - which is also currently level - and then points difference where the Bears are currently better off by just eight points.
Whatever happens, it is going to be tight, so the inclusion of a trio of internationals and magic hooker Thacker would be a big boost for Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam.
Lam said: “The hopefuls back this week are Harry Thacker, Kyle Sinckler, Magnus Bradbury and Semi Radradra. Those are the four that come to mind and are a big four.
“We all know the importance of this last game and everyone is keen to be involved.
“There are a lot of milestones as well, Harry Thacker is on 99 games and this will be his 100th which is huge. He has been phenomenal for the club and hopefully, he will make the start line and be able to celebrate the occasion.
Fijian star centre Radradra, who will leave the club this summer to join French Top 14 side Lyon, injured his hamstring in Bristol’s defeat to Clermont in the last 16 knockout round of the Challenge Cup on April on March 31.
Lam said: “He has been working incredibly hard. He is in a race against time and is desperate to play. We have just been making sure that he ticks all the boxes with the medical team to make sure he can get out there and have one more go in a Bears jersey.”
One man who sadly won't get one more go in a Bristol jersey is departing club stalwart Joe Joyce, however he and the other leavers this summer will be honoured on the pitch after the final whistle.
