Pat Lam has indicated that Kyle Sinckler may be held back for Bristol Bears' Premiership clash against Saracens this weekend following a Six Nations campaign for England which has left the prop with a few “bumps and bruises”.
Sinckler made five appearances for England over the tournament but didn’t train in the week prior to the Ireland game due to a back injury and then sustained a concussion during that encounter which meant he started off the bench in their final fixture in France.
Sinckler has reported for duty at the Bears High Performance Centre ahead of Saturday’s game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but director of rugby Lam looks to be erring on the side of caution over his involvement in north London.
“He’s back in this week but, it’s like anything, you assess all the guys,” Lam said. “He’s been away, out of the environment for a while so he’s under the microscope of our medical team now and everything has been passed down from England.
“The most important thing - and it’s no different here than when I previously worked with the Irish team and the All Black team - you look at all the internationals when they come back, you look at the load, injuries that they might have had and then you weigh it up whether they should come back in.
“It’s the same with Wales with Callum (Sheedy) coming back, you’re looking at all those things; what’s best for the player, and it’s just as important as what’s best for the team.
“Do they go straight in? Do they go to the bench? Do they have a week off? All those things come into the melting pot for us to make a decision on, and that’s what’s happened with Kyle.
“He’s come in and we’ve been looking at all his bumps and bruises and where he’s at and when will be the best time to introduce him; is it this week? Is it next?”
Lam did speak with excitement, however, at the prospect of scrum-half Harry Randall donning a Bears jersey again after his exploits with England, as not only do Bristol have the 24-year-old’s quality as a playmaker but it serves as light at the end of a very dark injury tunnel in the position.
Since Randall’s departure for the Six Nations, the Bears have lost Tom Whitley and Toby Venner to season-ending injuries, No2 Andy Uren to a hamstring injury, while Max Green and Oscar Lennon also suffered injuries during that time. The curse was further compounded during last Friday’s Premiership Cup thrashing of Bath when teenager Pete Carter went down in the warm-up.
With Randall back in the squad, and Uren’s return not far away, Lam is feeling a bit more secure about that particular area of the field.
“Well, certainly at 9,” Lam added, when asked about players coming back from injury. “I mean, what a difference. To be fair, for the last four years Harry Randall and Andy Uren have dominated at 9 and it’s a big part of our game and they’re steeped in the Bears way - Andy’s got 100 (appearances) and Harry’s up to 80-odd.
“At the start of the Six Nations, Harry’s gone, followed by Andy the next week, followed by Tom Whitley the next week, followed by Toby Venner, followed by Max Green, followed by Oscar Lennon - it’s forced us into a situation to adapt.
“As soon as Harry’s come back this week, it’s like instant, you can see a lift and that’s not a discredit to the others, but Andy’s not far behind that as well. Huge.”
