Pat Lam has moved to bring in a centre replacement after losing James Williams to injuryMatías Moroni of Argentina celebrates after scoring a try (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

Bristol Bears are on the verge of adding Argentina international centre Matías Moroni to their injury depleted squad as short-term cover, according to the latest reports.

Moroni, 34, has 93 caps for the Pumas, including running out at three World Cups, with the latest four appearances coming this summer, playing in both Tests in the 2-0 series defeat to England and in the impressive victory against the British and Irish Lions in Dublin.

Moroni has plenty of Gallagher PREM experience having lifted the trophy with Leicester Tigers alongside Bristol prop Ellis Genge in 2021/22 before joining Newcastle Falcons. He spent last season in the ProD2 with Brive but is currently without a club.

The Telegraph reported Moroni will join the Bears for the next three weeks with a hope of linking up with the Pumas for the November Tests where they will play Wales, Scotland and England. Since the arrival of Gethin Watts as head of recruitment at the club, Bristol’s Argentinian presence has swelled, with flanker Santi Grondona, his number eight younger brother Ben, full-back Benjamin Elizalde and lock Pedro Rubiolo all arriving at Ashton Gate.

With Bristol once again running with a reduced squad due to spending cutbacks from owner Steve Lansdown, director of rugby Pat Lam finds himself struggling to put a competitive team on the park just two weeks into the new Gallagher PREM season. The Bears’ midfield problems started before the league campaign got underway, with James Williams suffering an ankle injury against Sale Sharks in the PREM Rugby Cup, which has resulted in surgery and a couple of months on the sidelines.

The Round One victory against Leicester Tigers cost the Bears AJ MacGinty, Harry Randall and Gabriel Ibitoye – all of whom have now had surgery that will likely rule them out until 2025. And Saturday’s defeat at Saracens looks to have worsened the situation with Louis Rees-Zammit limping off with a toe issue, Joe Jenkins suffering a hamstring pull and Tom Jordan taking a blow to the ribs.

Should Jordan and Jenkins both be ruled out of this weekend’s game against Exeter Chiefs, that leaves just Benhard Janse van Rensburg as the club’s recognised senior centre, although Kalaveti Ravouvou has plenty of experience in the 13 jersey. Burt he may be needed on the wing.

Jack Bates, who is also currently sidelined with an injury, has also previously lined up in the centres.