Bristol rocked by injury to £1m man Piutau

CHARLES Piutau handed Bristol a significant injury scare ahead of the new Premiership season as he was forced off in the Bears’ preseason defeat to Connacht.

Piutau – the world’s most expensive rugby player on an annual salary of £1m – was the headline arrival at Ashton Gate this summer as Pat Lam’s side returned to the top-flight.

The big-spending Bears have grand designs, but their hopes of starting their league campaign with victory over Bath on Friday night have already been hit with Piutau falling lame. The former All Black came on as a half-time substitute for the Bears against Connacht, but lasted just over ten minutes before being forced off.

Lam said: “Of course it’s a concern, but that’s the nature of the game. When we know more, we’ll let everybody know.”

A turgid first half saw little action of note, a kick ahead from Bristol tighthead John Afoa and a trademark turnover from his veteran team-mate George Smith two rare highlights.

Connacht bashed away and should have scored with Robin Copeland making one rampaging break, but they struggled at the contact area and turned over too much ball with Smith a real menace.

The only instance of true first-half quality ended in a try as slick passing down the Bristol backline ended in full-back Luke Daniels diving over. Ian Madigan missed the kick.

Both sides made a raft of half-time changes and Connacht got on the board with Copeland the creator as he deftly picked up at the back of a close-range scrum.

It allowed left wing Matt Healy to slide over with a neat low finish and Jack Carty converted.

Bristol hit back almost immediately as captain Steven Luatua got his hands free in the tackle and found replacement scrumhalf Andy Uren who cantered to the line.

Madigan converted, but Piutau limped from the field while he was lining up the kick, using his shirt as a sling to support his arm.

In the star back’s absence, Connacht drove over from close range through Paul Boyle and Craig Ronaldson kicked the goal. It came after Bristol were reduced to 14 men when Jake Woolmore was yellow carded for a ruck infringement.

Lam added: “Charles’ injury is unlucky, but that’s why you have to have a large squad.

“It’s obvious how big a blow it would be if he missed Bath, but that’s rugby. I’ll be confident if Charles is there, but if he’s not, the next guy steps in.”