Louis Rees-Zammit calls for end to artificial pitches after showing burns

Louis Rees-Zammit has called for rugby to stop using artificial pitches after sharing a photograph of burns sustained during Bristol Bears’ defeat at Saracens.

The Wales international posted the image on Instagram following the Bears’ 30–7 loss at StoneX Stadium, adding his voice to concerns already raised by director of rugby Pat Lam.

“Can we please stop playing on these Astroturf pitches!! Someone do something about it!!” he wrote, in a post reported by Ruck.

Louis Rees-Zammit adds to Bristol’s pitch concerns

The winger’s comments follow Lam’s explanation for leaving Pedro Rubiolo, AJ MacGinty and Steven Luatua out of Bristol’s squad.

Lam said the players’ previous injuries influenced his decision to keep them off the artificial surface. He indicated that all three would have played had the fixture been at home or a semi-final.

Their absence was therefore a precautionary selection decision, with Bristol also preparing for a Champions Cup trip to face the Stormers in Cape Town.

Rees-Zammit’s photograph brings a player’s experience into that discussion after his coach had outlined how concerns about the surface affected selection.

Saracens defeat ended Bristol’s unbeaten start

Bristol arrived at StoneX Stadium unbeaten in the league but were kept scoreless during the first half as Saracens established an 11–0 lead.

Harry Randall’s converted try reduced the deficit to four points after the interval.

However, further scores from Alex O’Driscoll and Jack Bracken, alongside a penalty try, helped Saracens secure a bonus-point victory.

The result ended Bristol’s winning start, while Rees-Zammit’s subsequent comments have brought renewed attention to the playing surface.