Overview
- Bristol confirmed Pedro Rubiolo underwent ACL surgery and will miss the rest of the season, with Joe Batley requiring thumb surgery and targeting a May return.
- Director of rugby Pat Lam called losing both starting second rows a big blow to the pack and to the team’s leadership.
- With Rubiolo and Batley out, the remaining senior specialist locks are James Dun, Joe Owen and Steele Barker.
- Full-back Rich Lane is expected to return in April after a hamstring injury, while Jake Woolmore, Steven Luatua, Lovejoy Chawatama, Noah Heward and Aidan Boshoff are tracking to be available before the round 11 trip to Leicester.
- Analysis in Argentina indicates Rubiolo is likely to miss the July internationals and the immediate training camp due to typical ACL recovery timelines.