WORCESTER Warriors head coach Jonathan Thomas has confirmed fears regarding the injury to Melani Nanai.

The former Super Rugby full-back is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury at Saracens on Boxing Day.

It comes a year after he picked up the hamstring injury at Sale that brought his 2020/21 season to an end.

He started the 2021/22 campaign healthy but it took just a couple of weeks before he picked up an Achilles issue in September that ruled him out for three months. 

Nanai then tested positive for Covid in December, which delayed his return.

And after just five minutes of action at Saracens, it looks like he will once more have to deal with a long term problem that will require surgery.

Thomas offered an injury update on a number of other players ahead of this Sunday's Gallagher Premiership fixture with Bath Rugby at The Rec.

With Bath's game cancelled on Monday due to a Covid outbreak at the club, there is still some doubt whether the game this weekend will go ahead.

But for now Thomas is preparing for what is a huge clash for Warriors, who could end a 14-month run without an away win against a Bath side who are yet to win a game in any competition this season.

Should the game go ahead, here is an update on who is and isn't available;

  • Rory Sutherland is fit and ready to play
  • Ollie Lawrence is a few weeks away, as is Willi Heinz and fly-half Owen Williams

The club did voluntary PCR tests on Monday and returned two positive cases in the squad but isolation was not required as they were not in contact with the squad at the time.