Selection to make Bristol Bears’ match day 23 for the derby with Bath Rugby on Friday is more competitive than at any other point during this largely troublesome season, Pat Lam hinted.
Despite flanker Sam Jeffries and lock Joe Joyce being available for selection last weekend having overcome respective hamstring and Achilles injuries, both men missed out on a place in the Bristol side that beat Newcastle Falcons 30-12 at Ashton Gate in the Premiership.
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Speaking post-match, Bristol director of rugby Lam said: “The win against Newcastle gives the boys a lot of confidence and reward for all the work they are doing.
“We saw the guys who don’t normally start go out against a really strong Sale side [and win 43-19 in the Premiership Rugby Cup earlier this month], they got that chance because they have been really pushing in training.
“Selection is tough now.
“We had Joe Joyce and Sam Jeffries available this week, those were difficult decisions. They have come back from injuries and been out for a while but when guys perform they get their chance.
“Sam Bedlow, Sam Jeffries and Joycey will be pushing hard to play this weekend.”
Lam confirmed lock Joe Batley, who has been nothing short of a revelation since re-joining the Bears from Worcester Warriors back in the Autumn, suffered an ankle injury on Friday night but at the time of speaking was unclear of the extent of the injury.
However, the return of Jeffries and Joyce, along with Ed Holmes who came back from injury earlier this month, means Lam is spoilt for choice in the second row heading to The Rec.
Going into the weekend, Bristol could also be bolstered by the return of star full-back Charles Piutau who is back training having injured his hamstring against Perpignan back in December.
Of course, the Bears will almost certainly be without first-choice props Kyle Sinckler and Ellis Genge for the derby with the duo currently away with England ahead of facing Wales on Saturday in the third round of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.
Genge was named man of the match in the first edition of the derby this campaign when he scored two tries on the opening day of the season to help Bristol to a narrow 31-29 victory at Ashton Gate.
Tighthead Sinckler, who looks to be competing with Bath’s Will Stuart for a starting spot for England this weekend despite suffering a bad cut to his nose against Italy after colliding with the boot of team mate Genge, was named man of the match against the Blue, Black and White at the Rec back in May, 2021, as he fueled his disappointment at being left out of the initial British and Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa into one of his best Bristol performances and 40-20 victory.
In the duo’s absence, Jake Woolmore and Max Lahiff look set to start.
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