Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Steven Luatua passed fit for Bristol's season opener

By Josh Raisey
Steven Luatua of Bristol Bears looks on during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Bristol Bears and Gloucester Rugby at Ashton Gate on December 02, 2023 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

Bristol Bears veteran Steven Luatua has overcome a wrist injury sustained in pre-season to make his side’s starting XV against Newcastle Falcons in their opening match of the Gallagher Premiership season.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Samoa international will start at blindside flanker on Friday night at Kingston Park as he embarks on his eighth season with the Bears.

Luatua will be partnered in the back row with Jake Heenan at openside and captain Fitz Harding at No.8 as the club wait for summer signing Viliame Mata to recover from a hamstring injury.

Video Spacer

Boks Office on why South Africa’s youth structure is brutal | RPTV

WATCH as the Boks Office crew share their views on why South African players are so sought after around the world. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV on Tuesday afternoon.

Watch Now

Video Spacer

Boks Office on why South Africa’s youth structure is brutal | RPTV

WATCH as the Boks Office crew share their views on why South African players are so sought after around the world. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV on Tuesday afternoon.

Watch Now

Bristol have seen plenty of change in the back row over the summer, with Magnus Bradbury and Dan Thomas both leaving.

The club have recently issued an update regarding the Fijian’s recovery, saying: “Viliame Mata continues his rehabilitation on a hamstring injury, having undergone successful surgery. The Fijian back rower will be out of action until November.”

Fixture
Gallagher Premiership
Newcastle
3 - 24
Full-time
Bristol
All Stats and Data

Bristol Bears XV
15. Max Malins
14. Siva Naulago
13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg
12. James Williams
11. Gabriel Ibitoye
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Harry Randall
1. Ellis Genge
2. Harry Thacker
3. Max Lahiff
4. James Dun
5. Joe Batley
6. Steven Luatua
7. Jake Heenan
8. Fitz Harding (c)

Replacements
16. Gabriel Oghre
17. Jake Woolmore
18. George Kloska
19. Josh Caulfield
20. Benjamin Grondona
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joe Jenkins
23. Rich Lane

ADVERTISEMENT

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

LONG READ
LONG READ Will the withdrawal of the ‘top 20’ devalue France’s tour of New Zealand? Will the withdrawal of the ‘top 20’ devalue France’s tour of New Zealand?
Search