Bristol lock Batley out with fractured leg

Joe Batley has played every minute of Bristol Bears' Premiership games so far this season

Bristol lock Joe Batley is expected to be out until late December because of a fracture in his leg.

The 28-year-old has played every minute of Bristol's six Premiership matches so far this season and picked up the injury while playing for the Bears in a friendly against Australia A two weeks ago.

The second row was due to play for England A's team last weekend against the same side, but was ruled out before the severity of the injury was discovered.

"Joe was devastated, it was in the Australia game he took a knock to his leg and thought that he'd be ok," Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said.

"While I was away I got a call from Mark Mapletoft [England A head coach] talking about how well Bats had gone there but he's not going to be able to make it.

"He had a scan and he's got a slight fracture in his leg, so at this stage Bats will be unavailable.

"We're hoping it's not too bad and he should be back maybe [for] the Leicester game."

Bristol play Amptill in their final Premiership Rugby Cup pool game at this stage of the competition on Sunday, before a five-day turnaround to the return of the league with a game at Harlequins on Friday, 29 November.

They then start their Champions Cup campaign with two group games at home to Leinster and away to La Rochelle before the Premiership trip to Leicester on 21 December.