Pat Lam calls for EQP injury dispensation after Bristol's bruising season

Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has called on the RFU to reform English Qualified Player (EQP) regulations to account for injury crises, after his squad arrived at their final Gallagher Premiership fixture against Sale Sharks at CorpAcq Stadium with 26 players unavailable.

Heading into the trip north, 14 of those absentees were English-qualified players, with captain Fitz Harding (broken hand), prop Ellis Genge and prop George Kloska the latest additions to an already lengthy treatment room list. Despite the scale of the disruption, Lam confirmed that Bristol will have averaged at least 15 EQP players per matchday squad across the qualifying period of the season — the threshold set by the Professional Game Partnership — meaning the club avoided the fines and potential points deduction that non-compliance carries.

Lam revealed he had sought dispensation from the RFU given the severity of Bristol’s injury situation, but was told the existing regulations did not permit an exception this season. “We applied for some dispensation around our massive EQP injury list and while the RFU had sympathy and understanding for our situation, the regulations don’t permit change this season but it’s something they will consider for the future,” he said.

For the Sale fixture, Lam named an all-English matchday 23 that included nine Academy players. With Harding sidelined, Harry Thacker and Joe Batley were deployed in the back row alongside Joe Owen. Jake Woolmore and Max Lahiff started in the front row either side of hooker Cam Gwilliam, while Harry Randall partnered Academy fly-half Sam Worsley at half-back. Jack Bates and Academy centre Joe Jenkins combined in midfield, with Noah Heward selected on the wing.

Among the replacements, Academy hooker Kieran Hill was set to make his senior debut, while fellow Academy graduate Ollie Harris was in line for his first Premiership appearance from the bench. Jimmy Halliwell and Kenzie Jenkins were also included from the Academy.

Lam framed the enforced selection as a development opportunity despite its difficult origins. “While it’s disappointing to lose so many experienced players, it also presents a fantastic opportunity for some of our younger guys,” he said. “We’ve got five current Academy players starting and several more involved in the matchday 23, which is a real credit to the work being done throughout the pathway.”

The director of rugby was equally emphatic about the broader achievement of meeting the EQP target. “To be able to achieve it again in one of our most challenging seasons with so many EQP players unavailable throughout the whole season is a credit to all,” he added. The RFU’s indication that injury dispensation could be considered for future seasons will offer some encouragement to Lam and other Premiership coaches who have faced similar pressures.