Louis Rees-Zammit injured in training incident as statement issued on Wales star

These are your latest rugby headlines on Friday, April 17.

Rees-Zammit hit by fresh injury setback

Wales and Bristol Bears star Louis Rees-Zammit has suffered a fresh blow after sustaining an injury in training.

The 25-year-old twisted his knee during a training session ahead of Bristol's must-win PREM Rugby fixture against Gloucester on Friday evening and will "return to action in the coming weeks", according to a statement from the club.

Rees-Zammit is joined on the sidelines by back rower Steven Luatua, who remains sidelined until May with a hamstring injury, and Santiago Grondona, who is expected to return to action at the end of the month following a minor calf injury.

The Wales full-back has enjoyed an impressive debut campaign for Pat Lam's side following his return from the NFL last summer, though it has not been without its difficulties.

Having picked up a toe injury against Saracens in October, Rees-Zammit was sidelined for over a month before recovering in time for Wales' autumn international opener against Argentina.

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He then sustained a head injury against Sale at the start of January, which ruled him out for a fortnight as he was withdrawn from Lam's starting line-up for the clash with the Bulls in South Africa.

Despite these setbacks, he has featured in 13 games for Bristol across all competitions this season, crossing for six tries. Rees-Zammit's absence will be keenly felt as the Bears face his former club, Gloucester, with Lam conceding that his side now find themselves in must-win territory if they are to secure a play-off place.

"We have to win if we have any hope of getting to that top four," said the Bristol boss. "There's already a seven-point gap, and everyone plays everyone, but you can't afford to drop any more games. We've only got ourselves to blame for that.

"The season is like life - you get lots of ups and downs - it's how you adapt and grow from that," he added. "We know certainly the game against Gloucester on Friday night is a very important game for us."

Dragons prop leaves on short-term deal

The Dragons have announced that prop Luke Yendle has departed to PREM Rugby outfit Harlequins on a short-term loan arrangement.

Yendle linked up with the English top-flight club on a similar short-term loan earlier this campaign, making two appearances during their PREM Rugby Cup matches in February.

The 25-year-old now heads back to the Twickenham Stoop ahead of Quins' fixture against Bath at The Rec on Saturday, remaining in south-west London until the season's conclusion.

Tighthead Yendle has accumulated 22 appearances for the Dragons since his debut for the region in 2020, yet has featured just once this season, starting against Perpignan in the Challenge Cup in December.

A product of Caerphilly RFC, he has also turned out for Newport and Pontypool in Super Rygbi Cymru and Jersey Reds in the English second tier. Yendle was among four players to join Harlequins on short-term deals in February, with the club also recruiting his Dragons teammate Barny Langton-Cryer alongside Cardiff RFC loosehead Ben Murphy and Connacht back-rower Oisin McCormack.

Confirming the new loan agreement on Thursday, the Dragons released a statement reading: "Dragons RFC can confirm that prop Luke Yendle has joined Gallagher PREM Rugby side Harlequins on a second short-term loan deal to the London club.

"Everyone at Dragons RFC wishes Luke every success during his spell at Twickenham Stoop."

Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore added: "With several of our front row options unavailable we've needed to bring back Luke (Yendle) and welcome Andrew (Turner) into the group ahead of this weekend's fixture against Bath.

"It's important we have sufficient cover in a critical position, not only to fulfil our fixtures, but so we can train to a standard throughout the week.

"We will have a couple of boys back in the coming weeks, but this is tricky period we need to manage. I know both Luke and Andrew are excited to be in the environment and will be giving their all to the Club in the time they're with us."