Bristol medical update: Ravouvou injury worse than first feared

Ahead of the start of the new Gallagher PREM season, Bristol Bears have issued their latest medical bulletin, which includes a downbeat update on injured winger Kalaveti Ravouvou.

Ravouvou sustained a multi-ligament injury whilst playing for Fiji against Canada at the Pacific Nations Cup in Japan and the club say the 94kg powerhouse is “expected to be available after the Autumn.”

Presumably, this means the 28-year-old will miss the first five rounds of the league season and Bristol’s Ivestec Champions Cup trip to the Stormers on 17 October.

Fellow Fijian Bill Mata is continuing his rehab from an ACL injury sustained during the second half of last season and is expected to return to action in the New Year.

Full-back Noah Heward (knee) is out for the season, while new signing from Bath, flanker Ethan Staddon (ACL) is also expected to be sidelined for the duration of the campaign.

Matias Moroni (fractured cheekbone) is expected back next month, while Max Lahif and Khalik Kareem (both foot injuries) will have to wait until November before pulling on a Bristol shirt again.

A return date for Harry Thacker (neck) has yet to be confirmed, while loose forward Josh Caulfield (ACL) is completing his end-stage rehabilitation and will be available in the coming weeks.

On a more positive note, Argentina lock Pedrio Rubiolo and England hooker Gabriel Oghre, who has just penned a new deal, have recovered from their respective knee injuries and are included in the starting pack for the trip to Sale Sharks this weekend.

Bristol team vs Sale Sharks:

15. Tom Jordan (20 apps), 14. Louis Rees-Zammit (15 apps), 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (73 apps), 12. James Williams (77 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (74 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (59 apps), 9. Harry Randall (167 apps); 1. Ellis Genge (78 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (63 apps), 3. George Kloska (85 apps), 4. Pedro Rubiolo (14 apps), 5. Joe Batley (97 apps), 6. Joe Owen (66 apps), 7. Luka Ivanishvili (13 apps), 8. Fitz Harding (c) (123 apps).

Replacements: 16. Tomas Gwilliam (19 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (188 apps), 18. Jimmy Halliwell (27 apps), 19. George Taylor (21 apps), 20. Steven Luatua (160 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (76 apps), 22. Max Pepper (9 apps), 23. Benjamin Grondona (38 apps).