Bristol Bears' 'big loss' ahead of Bulls showdown
NEWS: Bristol Bears will head into their Champions Cup Round Three clash against the Bulls without one of their key forwards.
Bristol’s Director of Rugby Pat Lam confirmed that prop Lovejoy Chawatama will be unavailable for the clash at Loftus Versfeld after suffering a calf injury in his team’s 19-17 win over Sale in the Premiership last weekend.
The 33-year-old Zimbabwean has been a vital cog for the Bears, featuring in all 15 of their games this season.
“Lovejoy did his calf in the game, and he is a big loss,” Lam told reporters from the team’s base in Pretoria.
“His scrummaging has come to the fore, and his understanding of our game and fitness has really come on. He was going really well.
“So that is a big loss, but George Kloska came back from injury last week and did really well and we have young Jimmy Halliwell, who has been in and out and developing behind that group as well, so it is like with any of these injuries, the next guy in needs to step up and take his opportunity.”
The good news for Bristol is that the versatile prop Max Lahiff is fit, while lock Joe Batley is also available after a one-game suspension.
Meanwhile, Lam is optimistic about Louis Rees-Zammit’s availability after a head knock last weekend. He is currently with the squad in Pretoria.
“Rees looks good,” Lam added. “He is just finishing off the last few protocols, but he should be all clear to play, and he is pretty confident he will make it, so he should be there.”
Additional reporting: Bristol Live
