Bristol Bears have been dealt a blow after Kyle Sinckler was ruled out for a month after suffering an injury playing for England in the Autumn Nations Series.
The tighthead prop is not expected to feature again before Christmas, with a possible return coming in the Premiership fixture with Harlequins on December 27.
Sinckler started all of England‘s year-end games, against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa, after missing the July tour to Australia due to injury.
Three to four weeks out
He was replaced by coach Eddie Jones along with Mako Vunipola and Jamie George at half-time in their recent 27-13 loss to the Springboks, with an injury now confirmed.
“Kyle took a knock in the first 40 minutes,” said Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam.
“Unfortunately, it looks as though he will probably miss three, potentially four weeks.
“It’s disappointing, but that’s the way it is, and he just gets back into his rehab and so forth. It is his leg, I think around his groin area.”
Sinckler will miss the Bears’ Premiership fixture against Leicester Tigers this weekend as well as Challenge Cup pool matches against Perpignan and Zebre Parma.
However, the absence of the England forward is cushioned somewhat by the return to fitness of Fijian centre Semi Radradra, who should feature against Leicester.
Hasn’t played since April
Lam added: “Semi is back. He trained extremely well yesterday, and he is excited and ready to go.
“He is buzzing and looking forward to getting his first hit-out for a while.
“Right from when he arrived at the club, he has had a huge impact on and off the field. You see his professionalism.
“Some of the injuries he has had on that knee, some players wouldn’t come back from, but he is diligent and puts the work in.”
Bristol currently sit in 10th place after eight matches, one spot above basement side London Irish, after the relegation of both Wasps and Worcester Warriors.
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