Pat Lam gives disappointing update on Max Malins injury

Max Malins’ planned return to action has been pushed back by a couple of weeks with Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam forecasting another month on the sidelines for the full-back/wing.

The 27-year-old England international enjoyed a brilliant start to the Premiership season and scooped the player of the month award for September before injuring his knee whilst attempting a try-saving tackle in the derby win at Bath.

Originally it was thought that Malins, who scored five tries in the first three games of the season, might be back for the Champions Cup clash against La Rochelle on December 14th. But Lam says that is now unlikely. “I think with Max it is going to be after the Champions Cup, closer to the Sale game (at Ashton Gate on December 27th).

Giant summer signing Viliame ‘Bill’ Mata is, however, finally ready to start his Bears career after hamstring surgery.

The Fijian international joined the Bears from Edinburgh but has yet to play a competitive match after suffering the injury in pre-season.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

25

34

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

20%

With Josh Caulfield and Joe Batley both injured, Bristol are short of options at lock ahead of Friday night’s trip to Harlequins, but are stacked in the back-row. Lam said Mata, Steven Luatua and Santiago Grondona could be pressed into action as a stop-gap solution alongside the fit-again James Dun in the engine room, or he may opt for young Joe Owen, who “has been flying.”

“I am really pleased with Joe. He started rugby late, and he is flourishing. It was his first year getting used to it last year, playing in this environment, and now he is really showing the benefit of the work that he has put in with the coaches, so I am pleased for him.

“So Joe is there and, of course, we have got Steven Luatua, Santi, Bill Mata – all of these boys who have had time in the second row. I had a little quiet word to all of them, be prepared you might have to push in a couple of scrums fellas.”