Injury crisis for Bristol before season starts
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Bristol did not win anything on their return to the Premiership last season - apart, of course, from the right to continue in the top flight, which was the equivalent of a crock of gold for the famous old West Country club - but this time around, they have already nailed an award: for the first injury crisis of the campaign. Mark Regan, the 34-year-old former England forward, is the only fit hooker on the books after Neil Clark and Saul Nelson injured themselves in the space of three minutes during a friendly game at Neath.
Should Regan suffer any misfortune in the final warm-up game with Cardiff on Friday night, Bristol could be in the embarrassing position of failing to raise a side for the opening league fixture at Worcester eight days later. Richard Hill, the head coach, said yesterday he was attempting to sign a senior hooker on a one-year contract, not least because Clark, who mangled ligaments in a knee, is expected to be hors de combat for at least six months.
Despite this early setback on the personnel front, allied to the bookmakers' decision to make them favourites for relegation, Bristol are bullish about their chances of securing a comfortable mid-table finish and taking another meaningful step towards re-establishing themselves as a major power in the land.
Three very good New Zealanders are due to arrive over the next few months - the Waikato outside-half Dave Hill and the Maori lock Sean Hohneck are expected on 1 November; Neil Brew, the gifted Otago centre, on New Year's Day - and while some supporters have expressed concern at the decision to bring in a fresh batch of overseas players, the hierarchy insist they are operating pragmatically.
"We all know the New Zealanders are concerned at the number of players leaving the country to play their rugby here, and I guess I'm not overly popular back home," said David White, the Aucklander who joined Bristol as chief executive last season. "But we're not signing ex-internationals in search of a pension, but players in their mid-20s who are coming for the right reasons. In the short term, we need people of this quality. However, we're also committed to making our academy as strong as any in the country and in the long run, this will be a team full of locally developed players."
* James Simpson-Daniel will miss the autumn international series after undergoing an operation on his collarbone. The Gloucester winger will be out for two to three months.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments