Louis Rees-Zammit injury prognosis confirmed as PREM side draft in ‘proven international’ to ease injury woes
Bristol Bears look set to be without star recruit Louis Rees-Zammit (left) with the winger picking up an injury
Louis Rees-Zammit is in a race against time to be fit for Wales’ Autumn Nations Series campaign, after picking up a foot injury in Bristol’s defeat to Saracens last weekend.
It comes amid a growing number of high-profile injuries at Ashton Gate, with Gabriel Ibitoye, Harry Randall and AJ MacGinty already set for extended periods on the sidelines.
Rees-Zammit is just four games into his return to rugby, following an 18-month stint in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars. He has impressed in his outings, though, scoring two tries in that time.
‘He is being monitored closely’
In a statement, Bristol Bears said: “Louis Rees-Zammit sustained a contact-related foot injury when tackled late in the match.
“He is being monitored closely by the medical team and is expected to return in the coming weeks.”
Elsewhere, the club have also confirmed another one of their X-factor backline stars is set for surgery, with Joe Jenkins to go under the knife on a hamstring injury picked up at StoneX Stadium.
“Joe Jenkins suffered a proximal hamstring rupture with his foot caught in the 4G surface while being counter-rucked,” the club revealed.
“He will undergo surgery this Saturday and is expected to return in the New Year.”
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With more names joining the ever-growing list of injuries at Ashton Gate, the lack of an update on Tom Jordan can be seen as a welcome bucking of the trend, after he too came off with a knock in London.
This injury plague has since prompted Bears director of rugby Pat Lam to dip into the transfer market, with Bristol drafting in former PREM winner and Argentina international Matias Moroni on a short-term deal.
The 34-year-old back, who can play both centre and wing, was a part of the Los Pumas side that beat the British and Irish Lions in Dublin back in July, and also featured in both Tests against England in the same month.
Commenting on his arrival, Lam said: “With the high volume of injuries to our senior backs, we’re pleased to be able to bring in a player of Matías’ experience and quality to boost our backline options for the next few weeks.
“He is a proven international and a Gallagher PREM winner, who will provide excellent cover following the injuries to AJ MacGinty, Gabriel Ibitoye, James Williams, Noah Heward, Rich Lane, Louis Rees-Zammit – and Academy centres Joe Jenkins and Toby Baker.”
Moroni now becomes the latest Los Pumas ace to call Bristol his home, joining Pedro Rubiolo and Santi and Benjamin Grondona at the club.
