Bristol are hoping to have England prop Kyle Sinckler firing in time for their Heineken Champions Cup showdown with Sale on Saturday week.
Bristol boss Pat Lam revealed the England prop, who suffered a concussion and struggled with back and ankle injury during the Six Nations, hasn't trained since.
“Kyle had niggles and stuff from those last few weeks with England, so we are giving him as much time as possible to be ready for the Champions Cup,” Lam said.
With Bristol miles off the pace in the Premiership in tenth, Europe has taken on far greater significance for the club.
Lam added: “It’s always been the top and it is for every club in Europe,”
EDITORS PICKS:
- Rassie Erasmus leaves Farrell and Youngs out of his England XV
- Martin Johnson Ranks His Five Best Locks Who Changed The Game
- Sale Sharks handed points reduction for fielding ineligible player
- Erasmus reveals the THREE England players he’d love to coach
- South Africa joining the Six Nations still ‘likely’
Rassie Erasmus leaves Farrell and Youngs out of his England XV
#BACK-THREE:
- 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
- 14. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons)
- 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish)
Adam Radwan of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#CENTRES:
- 13. Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
- 12. Luke Northmore (Harlequins)
Joe Marchant of England is tackled in the air by Siya Kolisi, Captain of South Africa during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#HALFBACKS:
- 10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
- 9. Danny Care (England)
Danny Care of England arriving before the six Nations Championship match, between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 17th March 2017. (Photo:Dean Lancaster/PPAUK)
#FRONT-ROW:
- 1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
- 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
- 3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)
Leicester Tigers player Ellis Genge during the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Leicester Tigers and Harlequins at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Dec 5th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
CONTINUES ON PAGE 3
#SECOND-ROW:
- 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
- 5. Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Final whistle celebrations for Maro Itoje of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#BACK-ROW:
- 6. Alfie Barbeary (Wasps)
- 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
- 8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
