Rees-Zammit urges end to artificial pitches after Bristol's 30-7 defeat at Saracens

Louis Rees-Zammit has called for an end to artificial playing surfaces after featuring for Bristol in their 30-7 Premiership defeat at Saracens on Saturday. He posted a picture on social media showing a heavily scarred right leg.

Rees-Zammit published the image with the caption: "Can we please stop playing on these Astroturf pitches!! Someone do something about it!!" Prem clubs Saracens, Gloucester and Newcastle all use artificial pitches, and the state of the Sarries surface has come under scrutiny this season.

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said three key players — Pedro Rubiolo, AJ MacGinty and Steven Luatua — were not selected for the trip to north London because of the StoneX Stadium pitch. "They came off big injuries last season so it wasn't worth putting them on that pitch," Lam explained.

Lam added: "If we were playing the game at home or if it was a semi-final, they would have played." He has previously voiced opposition to artificial pitches in the Prem and, following the Bears' league win at Newcastle in April, blamed that pitch for causing a number of injuries to his team.

"These pitches are hard - I'm not a big fan of them," Lam said at the time. "We always take injuries on them and we've taken a few more."

Caluori scored as Saracens defeated Bristol 30-7, and Newcastle installed a new pitch at Kingston Park this summer before the 2026-27 season and have kept it fully artificial.

Saracens have been contacted for comment.