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'Reflects the kind of season we have had': Mata adds to Bristol woes
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Bristol Bears No.8 Bill Mata will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ACL injury in the Gallagher PREM defeat to Leicester Tigers last month, his club have confirmed.
The Fijian left the field in the second half of the 33-19 loss at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, and subsequently missed their recent meeting with Harlequins.
Ahead of their Investec Champions Cup round of 16 tie with Toulouse on Saturday, Bristol confirmed on social media the extent of the 34-year-old’s injury, which will leave him sidelined until next season.
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It was, coincidentally, the meeting with Leicester earlier in the season which resulted in a brutal casualty list for the Bears, with both Harry Randall and Gabriel Ibitoye picking up hamstring injuries, and AJ MacGinty rupturing his Achilles.
With fellow forwards Pedro Rubiolo and Joe Batley also injury, director of rugby Pat Lam said the injuries “the kind of season we have had.”
He said: “Losing a player of Bill’s quality and experience for the remainder of the season, especially alongside injuries to other frontline forwards Pedro Rubiolo and Joe Batley in our pack, is a tough blow and reflects the kind of season we have had with injuries to date.
“With all of the injuries, it just creates opportunity for other players to step up and perform for the team.”
