Bristol Bears tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler and scrum-half Harry Randall look set to provide Steve Borthwick with a pre-Six Nations boost as they return injury layoffs.
Sinckler sustained a groin injury in England’s final match of 2022 and has not played since for Bristol, with doubt over whether he would recover in time for the upcoming Six Nations.
Meanwhile, Randall missed the November internationals due to a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for over three months.
Available this week
Ahead of the Bears‘ Premiership clash with London Irish this weekend, Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam provided a positive fitness update on Sinckler: “He (Sinckler) should be available this weekend.”
“He hasn’t played since the autumn internationals, and rugby players don’t like being out for a long time. They don’t like watching rugby.”
Borthwick’s tenure as England head coach kicks off on February 4 with the Six Nations clash against Scotland.
More positive news
Meanwhile, Lam also confirmed that scrum-half Randall is nearing a return following a hamstring injury.
Randall has been out since October, effectively ruling him out of the Autumn Nations Series and will now look to reinsert himself in the conversation for England’s nine jersey.
“This guy (Randall) has been out for 12 or 13 weeks, so you can imagine what he is like,” Lam said.
“He is raring to go and is not far away.
“He was on the training field yesterday and just has to tick off a few markers on the medical and strength and conditioning side, and he will be good to go next week.”
Clean slate
The Bears boss also confirmed that he had spoken to Borthwick since he took over the reins from Eddie Jones and that the new England boss would be visiting Bristol’s training ground.
“He is moving around the clubs, which is good,” Lam said.
“That is what you want from an England coach.
“Any time there is a new coach coming into clubs or internationals, it is a clean slate for all players.”
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