Gabriel Ibitoye is set to make his much-anticipated return to Bristol Rugby this weekend, following a four-month absence due to injury. The winger, who has been sidelined since December 28, 2024, after a leg injury during a match against Sale, is now ready to rejoin the team for their crucial Premiership clash against Leicester Tigers.

Initially expected to be out for just six weeks, Ibitoye's recovery was prolonged due to a setback in his rehabilitation. However, Bristol's director of rugby, Pat Lam, has confirmed that Ibitoye has been training well and is available for selection. "He's buzzing to get back. It's been a long time, probably one of the longest times he's been out," Lam remarked.

Before his injury, Ibitoye was in stellar form, scoring seven tries in nine Premiership matches and leading the league in metres gained and line breaks. His return is seen as a significant boost for Bristol, who are currently in a tight race for the top four spots in the Premiership.

The upcoming match against Leicester is pivotal, with the Tigers trailing Bristol by just five points. Bristol will be looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Gloucester three weeks ago, where they conceded four unopposed tries in the first 17 minutes. Lam has emphasized the need for defensive improvements, citing the Exeter game as a learning opportunity despite their victory.

"It was a really good wake-up call for us," Lam said, reflecting on the Gloucester defeat. "I'm confident that we certainly won't be that bad again this year."

With Ibitoye's return, Bristol fans are hopeful that his dynamic play and high work rate will help steer the team back to winning ways. The match is scheduled for Easter Sunday at Ashton Gate, kicking off at 15:00 BST.