The pair both dropped out late on before the defeat to Gloucester on Sunday
EXETER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 24: Noah Heward of Bristol runs with the ball during the Gallagher PREM match between Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears at Sandy Park on January 24, 2026 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
Bristol Bears head of academy John Barnes have explained why Steven Luatua and Noah Heward both dropped out of the line-up late on before the 8-16 defeat to Gloucester Rugby on Sunday in the sixth round of pool stage action in the PREM Rugby Cup.
This loss leaves Bristol bottom of Pool A and struggling to make the semi-finals while the Cherry and Whites are at the other end of the table in first.
Luatua and Heward both were named in the initial 23 when the team came out on Wednesday, but on Sunday, dropped out through Injury. George Taylor came on to the flank and young Ollie Harris came onto the wing from the bench.
EXETER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 24: Bristol Bears’ Steven Luatua during the Gallagher PREM match between Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears at Sandy Park on January 24, 2026 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Bob Bradford – CameraSport via Getty Images)(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
“He (Luatua) just didn’t get through training this week,” Barnes said. “Both have just come back from long term injuries, particularly Steven who put in a big shift Against Exeter last week and went to training Tuesday and Wednesday, he felt a bit tight in his calf so unfortunately, we just pulled him out as a precaution.”
Bears back-three player Heward was understood to be ruled out with a hamstring issue for the game against Gloucester. Heward had recently returned from a thigh injury so it’s unfortunate to see that his hamstring is also giving him grief.
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Barnes on Heward’s availability: “The same with Noah (Heward) he has had a few injuries in the past and he wasn’t quite right and he hasn’t trained this week. We waited until last minute but unfortunately, he was out.”
With Heward dropping out it was a chance for Ollie Harris to gain some experience from the wing. It was a physical start to professional rugby for the winger, but he had a solid game.
Barnes added: “It’s great for Ollie Harris to get his debut, two teams with quality sides and it was good for him to get out there. It’s great for young players when you step into an environment where there is a lot of senior players playing, so to drip a few of those boys in over the next few weeks will be good for their experience.”
There was space on the bench for returning Bear Charlie Powell. The 26-year-old began his career with Bristol in 2018 and made 17 appearances. Powell will be with the Bears for the remaining of the PREM Cup games.
Bristol will host Exeter Chiefs for their next Prem Cup game on Saturday 7th February at Ashton Gate.
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